
1 ■ 

I ' 

I 

ji 

iiii 



itii' 






iii 



i (I 



W 






'III 



ilii^^ 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 



FROM ITS 

ORIGIN TO THE PRESENT PERIOD; 

WITH SOME 

ACCOUSi'S' OF THB ENVIRONS. 

BY CALEB H. SNOW, M. D. 



Mons IdEUS ubi et gentis cunabula v "^sctl- 




T.MBELHSHED WITH E:!<GKAVINGS 



BOSTON : 

PUBLISHED BY ABEL BOWEN, No. 2, CONGRE33-SQUARE, 
CONGRESS-STREET. 



...O^ 



PRINTED BY MUNROE AND FRANCIS, 

128 WASHINGTON-STREET. 

1S25. 



UISTUICT OF -MASSACIIl'SETTS, TO WIT. 

Dhtriel CU.lUOjnre. 

BE it rciliriiil<*r«><l, llial on tlie twenty ei^litUilav of Novpmb,T, A. D. IRi'i, in'tlie fifti- 
Mli yrai of tUe Iiidepeinleiice of the f'iiifrd Sltilt's uf Amirica, AUEL IIOWEN, of llie 
saiil l)i-iiic-t, lias <lc|iosiir(i in this Oflicf tlie title ol a book, tlie right whereof lie claini<i 
as Pni|>rii-tc>r, in the w nrils fullowiiiff, in uil • 

A II18T<JKV (>1' UOSroN, the Metr(i|>olis of Mas>achnst>tis ; friun its orig-in to the nrcf- 
cul prriiMl. With s.inir ariount of the Knvirons. Ilv lAl KH II. SNOW. M. D. Mone 
Klii-u> ulii CI tr'-niij t-iiimljula nostra-.— /'iVyi/. Kinlx-liislK'il with Knpravinps, 

In confunniiy to the .ict of the Congress of the United Stntes, entitled, "An act for 
the encuurAt;enient oi leuriiinif, hv seruriiijj the copies of iua|. , charts nnd books, to the 
HUlhork and |>ri>|<rieior!> of !>urh copies, during the times therein mentioned :" and also 
li an act. entitled. "An act snpiilenivnlarv to nn act. entitled an act for the enconrape- 
menl of learning, liy securin;; the co|>ii'< of maps, charts, and Imoks, to the antlinrs and 
propririor> uf such lojiirs duriiii,' the times therein inenliimed i and e:.leiulin<; the benefits 
llitrreof to llie art* ol drsiguiiir. <ncra>in(; an<l etching:, hisluriral and other prints." 
JOII.N W. I'AVIS, CUrkoftht Diihi.t of Miifinchiiidlt. 



PREFACE. 



The reader may expect to find in this book some account of the 
persecutions, which drove the first settlers of New England from 
their native country, and some brief notices of the settlements, that 
were made or attempted to be made, in various parts of the United 
States, befoi-e the arrival of Governour Winthrop and the compa- 
ny under him, which laid the foundation of Boston. There taking 
up our history, I have endeavoured to select from the mass of 
records, which numerous hands have left to us, those facts which 
appear to have excited any great or general interest among the 
inhabitants of this metropolis. 

To those who are aware of the disadvantages under which I 
have composed this work, I need offer no apology for the imper- 
fections they may discover in the execution of it. To others it 
may be proper to mention, that Mr. Bowen, the publisher, was 
disappointed in his expectation of the assistance of other gentle- 
men, and that my engagements with him commenced at least four 
weeks after his proposals of the I7th April, 1824, had been issued. 
To enable him to fulfil the terms of those proposals, I was oblig- 
ed to let the first number appear, on the first of July, before I could 
possibly know what the succeeding number should contain. The 
case has been similar with all the other numbers. I have con- 
sequently found it necessary to put my notes to the press, almost 
in the same form in which I had taken them, at the hazard of being 
compelled afterwards to exclude other matter, perhaps more im- 
portant. These cirtumstances, indeed, do not derogate from the 
correctness of the work, or from its usefulness as a book of refer- 
ence, so far as it extends, yet they may account for some peculiar- 
ities, which might otherwise have been amended ; and the same 
circumstances will, I trust, sufficiently apologize for any dispropor- 



IV PREFACE. 

tion between the importance of some of the subjects and the atten- 
tion I seem to have bestowed upon them. It has been my aim to 
be accurately minute and scrupulously correct : some errours are 
marked in the errata, (into which also has crept the mistake of Bar- 
ton^s for Purton's ;) and I am requested to rectify anotlier, which 
occurs on page 356, attributing to Mr. Wallcut an agency in the 
formation of the Historical Society, to which he makes no claim. 

As iMr. Bowen is the proprietor of Shaw's Description of Bos- 
ton, 1 have, sometimes without the formality of marks of quotation, 
made such use of tiiat book as suited the purposes of mine ; how 
much I have depended on it may be ascertained, if any have the 
curiosity to compare the two. It is right, however, to state, that 
this volume contains three times the quantity of matter contained 
in Mr. Shaw's, and thirty-two pages more than were originally 
promised, besides several extra plates. 

"Wiiilf engaged in this pursuit, I have been particularly indebted 
to the libraries of the Historical Society and the Atheuieum : the 
records in the offices of the secretary of the commonwealth and 
clerks of the city have been of much service to me : every facility 
has been afforded at each of these places for the accomplishment 
of my object ; and I have great reason to acknowledge my obliga- 
tions to the gentlemen who have those invaluable archives and 
collections in charge, and no h-ss to many private gentlemen, for 
the patience and politeness with which they have attended to my 
frequent calls for information and assistance. 

CALEB IT. SNOW. 

DosiOD, October 20, 1825. 




SnUf*^ ^Av'J'<'v '' -'''' ^ (rf«/'wu« t^ J It, 



JHoitrmS* 



STAMES 

OF THE 

STREETS, LANES, PUBLICK EDIFICES, &c. 

IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, JDLY, 1824. 



N. B. To find any street on the plan, search for the number annexed, in the square given 
by the letters following' the name ; thus, for School-street look in square F h, and you find 
the number 123. Publick edifices, kc. not numbered, are located within the squares referred 
to. The wards are designated by large figures, and the dotted lines show the boundaries of 
each. The ancient high-water mark is shown by the shading on the new plan. 



Allen St. N. 
Allen St. S. 
Ann St. 
Arch St. 
Ash St. 
Atkinson st. 
Bangs alley 
Bath St. 
Battery alley 
Battery-march st. 
Beach st. 
Beacon st. 
Bedford St. 
Bedford place 
Belknap st. 
Bennet st. S. 
Bennet st. N. 
Berry st. 
Blossom St. 
Bowdoin St. 
Bowdoin place 
Bowdoin square 
Boylston st. 
Boylston court 
Boylston square 
Brattle St. 
Brattle sq. 
Bread st. 
Bridge st. 
Brighton st. 
Broad st. 
Bromfield lane 
Bulfinch St. 
Bulfinch place - 
Bumstead place 
Butolph St. 
Butlers row 
Cambridge st. 
Carnes court 
Carver st. 
Castle St. 



C d 

C e 

I e 

Fj 

D n 

Hj 

H h 

H i 

Jc 

H h 

El 

E h 

Ek 

Fk 

Cg 

Fn 

Id 

Hj 

C f 

»g 

D h 

Ef 

DI 

Dl 

Dl 

Fg 

Gg 

Ih 

B f 

B c 

Ih 

Fi 

Eg 

Eg 

E i 

Cg 

He 

Cf 

Ff 

C m 

Do 



52 
53 

24 
138 
162 
110 



10 

95 

150 

124 

142 

73 

156 

9 

111 

53 

77 



198 
99 
57 
47 
102 
122 



160 
165 



Causeway st. 
Central St. 
Central court 
Centre st. N. 
Centre st. 
Chamber st. 
Charlestown st. 
Chardon St. 
Charles St. 
Charter st. 
Chauncy place 
ChesBut St. 
Clark St. 
Columbia st. 
Common st. 
Congress St. 
Cooks court 
Copeland laue - 
CornhUl court - 
Court St. 
Court square 
Crab alley 
Crescent court - 
Cross St. 

Custom house st. 
Custom house - 
Deacon st. 
Derne st. 
Devonshire ?t. 
Distill-house square 
Doane st. 
Dock square 
East St. 
Eaton St. 
Elliot St. 
Elm St. 
Essex St. 
Exchange st. 
Federal st. 
Federal court S. 
Federal court N. 



Ec 


SO 


Hh 


96 


Ej 




Hi 


28 


Bg 


69 


C f 


60 


G d 


34 


E f 


64 


Ah 


129 


H b 


3 


Fj 


138 


Bi 


131 


Id 


14 


F k 


147 


E i 


134 


G h 


91 


Fb 




Ff 




Gh 




Fh 


92 


Fh 




H h 




Ee 




H e 


27 


I h 


98 


I h 


9o 


F e 


180 


Dg 


181 


Gh 


89 


Fe 


41 


Hh 




Hg 




G 1 


182 


C e 


56 


D ro 


152 


G f 


81 


Ei 


146 


Gg 


86 


Gj 


12« 


Gj 




Gf 





HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



Flag alley 


- Gg 


87 


Lindall st. 


- Hh 


186 


Fleet St. 


Id 


IS 


Lowell place 


Dl 




Foster st. 


Hb 


18 


Lynde st. 


D f 


61 


Franklin st. 


Fi 


137 


Lynn st. 


lb 


2 


Franklin place 


■ - Gj 


121 


Margaret st. 


He 


187 


Franklin avenue 


■ - Fg 


183 


Margin st. N. - 


Gd 


36 


Friends st. 


G e 


36 


Margin st. S. - 


£ e 


45 


Front St. 


Eo 


164 


Market St. 


- Fg 


84 


Fruit St. 


Be 


54 


Market row 


- Gg 




Gallop alley 


He 




Market place 


- El 




Garden st. 


- - Cg 


70 


Marlboro' place 


Fi 




Garden court st. - 


Id 


22 


Marlboro' row 


Fi 




George st. 


B h 


130 


Medford st. - - 


Ed 


188 


Gibbs lane 


- - Ij 


184 


Marsh lane 


G f 




Oovernour alley - 


Fi 


185 


Marshall st. - - 


- G f 


37 


Gooch St. 


Ee 


44 


Mason st. 


D k 


142 


Gravel st. 


C d 


50 


May St. 


- Bg 


125 


Green st. 


De 


63 


Merchants row - 


- Hg 


88 


Gridley lane 


- - Hj 


109 


Merrimacst. 


Ee 


32 


Grove st. 


- - Bg 


68 


Methodist alley - 


J d 


12 


Haerlera place 


Ek 




Milk St. 


G 


119 


Hamilton st. 


li 


103 


Milton St. 


Cc 


189 


Hamilton place 


Ei 


203 


Millpoud St. 


Gd 


35 


Hamilton avenue - 


- - li 




Moon St. 


Id 


23 


Hancock st. 


- - Dg 


74 


Mount Vernon - 


- Cg 




Hanover st. 


- - He 


29 


Myrtle st. 


Bh 


126 


Hartford place 


- - Ij 




Newbury place - 


E k 




Harvard st. 


Em 


155 


North square 


le 


200 


Harvard place 


- - F i 




North row 


He 




Hatters square 


Hf 




Norfolk place 


Ek 




Hawkins st. 


Ff 


42 


Olive St. 


Bh 


128 


Hawley st. 


Fi 


136 


Oliver st. 


Hi 


lor. 


Hawley place 


Fi 




Otis place 


Fk 




Haymarket place 


Dk 




Park St. 


D i 


135 


Haj-ward place 


Ek 




Pearl st. 


Hi 


lOfi 


Henchman lane - 


Ir 


19 


Peck lane 


FI 


148 


High sL 


Hk 


114 


Pincknry st. 


- Bg 


127 


HoUis St. - - 


r»m 


1.57 


Pine St. 


- Dn 


163 


Hospital square - 


Be 




Pitts St. 


E e 


4.S 


Howard si. 


- Kg 


79 


Pitts court 


Ee 




Hull St. 


M .■ 


4 


Pleasant st. 


B ra 


160 


India si. - - 


Ill 


100 


Poplar St. 


C d 


51 


Jarvis row 


E k 




Portland St. 


Fc 


4ft 


.Tefferson i)lacr - 


E lu 




Portland place - 


Ff 




ICingston st. 


Fk 


140 


Prince st. 


H c 


ii 


Kilby St. 


Ilh 


94 


Prospect St. 


Dd 


190 


Kueeland St. 


Em 


153 


Purchase st. 


- Ij 


107 


Langdon plai-f 


lo 




Quincy place 


- Ij 




Lev<-rett it. 


C c 


46 


Hoe-buck passage 


- 11 g 




Levurett court 


Dd 




Kichmond st. 


He 


25 


Leverett place - 


De 


179 


Ridgeway lane - 


- r>g: 


75 


Liberty squiirt" - 


H h 


201 


Robinson alley -' 


Ic 


7 


biui'olii <i 


i; 1 


117 


Ilolibiiw rniift 


He 







HISTORY 


OF BOSTON. 








Russel St. S. 


- - Cg 


72 


Sumner st. 


_ 


Ch 128 


193 


Russel St. N. 


C f 


59 


Sun-Court st. 


- 


le 


25 


Salem st. 


Hd 


17 


Sweetser court 


- 


Ek 




Sail lane 


G f 




Temple st. 


- - 


DS 


76 


Salutation alley - 


- - I c 


11 


Thacher St. 


- 


Gd 


195 


School St. 


- - Fh 


123 


Theatre alley 




G i 


196 


School alley 


- . Hd 




Tileston st. 


- 


Id 


8 


Scotts court 


- - Gg 




Tremont place 


- 


Fh 




Sea st 


HI 


115 


Union St. 


- 


Gf 


38 


Second st. 


C c 


48 


Unity St. 


. 


He 


21 


Sheafe st. 


He 


5 


Vine St. 


- 


Be 


55 


Sheaf lane 


Dk 


143 


Walnut St. 


- 


C h 


132 


Short St. 


Fk 


145 


T\"arren st. 


- 


C ni 


159 


Sister st. 


■ - Hj 


112 


Warren place 


- 


C n 




Snow Hill St. 


G c 


16 


Washington st. 


- 


D ra 


154 


Somerset st. 


E g 


124 


Washington place 


- Ij 


104 


Somerset place - 


- Eg 


131 


Washington avenue - 


Ji 




Somerset court - 


E h 




Water st. 


- 


G h 


118 


South St. 


G 1 


116 


Well St. 


- 


Ih 


97 


Southack st. 


- Bg 


67 


West St. 


- 


- Ej 


141 


Spring St. 


C d 


49 


WHiarf St. 


- 


Ih 


101 


Spring lane 


G i 




White bread alley 


Id 


13 


Spruce St. 


Bi 


194 


Williams st. 


- 


- Hj 


113 


Staniford St. 


D f 


62 


AVilliams court 


- 


G h 




State St. 


H h 


192 


Wilsons lane 


- 


- Gg 


85 


Stillman st. 


G e 


199 


Wiltshire St. 


. 


Cd 


197 


Suffolk place 


Ek 




Winter street 


- 


Ei 


135 


Sudbury St. 


F f 


SO 


Winlbrop place 


- 


G k 




Summer s(. 


- Fj 


139 











PRINCIPAL WHARVES. 



1. Wm. Gray's wharf - lb 

2. Winnesimet ferry way - J b 

3. Battery wharf - K c 

4. Union wharf - .T d 

5. Hancock's wharf - K e 

6. Lewis's wharf - K e 

7. Eustis"s wharf - I g 
Canal, or Mill creek - 171 G e 

". Philadelphia Packet wharf H g 

Island wharves - J i 



9. Town dock 

10. Codman's wharf 

11. Long wharf 

12. Central wharf 

13. India wharf 

14. Liverpool wharf 
15. Russia wharf 

16. Wheeler's point 

17. Baxter's wharf 



Ig 
Kg 
Eh 
Jh 
Ik 
I k 
Gn 
F n 



NOTED BLOCKS. 



Barristers' Hall 
Colonnade Row 
Congress square 
Cornhill square 
Hinckley's Buildins 
Market square 
Merchants' Hall 
Parkman's Building 



Fh 
Djk 
Gh 
G h 
Hh 
Hg 
G h 
Hsr 



Phillips's Buildings 
Province House Row 
Rogers' Buildings 
Scollay's do. 
South Row 
Suffolk Buildings 
Tudor's do. 
West Row 



Hh 
Fi 
Gh 

Fg 
Gi 
Gh 
Fh 

Ef 



UISTOUY OF BOSTON. 



PUBLICK EDIFICES. 



State house - - D h 

Laboratory - C 1 

Town bouse, or old State house G h 

Old Court house I" h 

County Court house - V h 

Municipal Court house P d 

Jail and House of Correction 1> d 
House of Industry South Boston 

Alms House - C c 

Faneuil Hall - Kg 

Ward Room, No. 3 G d 

Eliot School, N. Bennet st. G d 

Hancock School, Hanover st. G e 

Mayhew School, Hawkins st. F e 

Bowdoin School, Derne st. D g 

High school, Pinckney st. - B i< 

Latin School, School St. - F h 

Adams Scliool, Mason st. - E j 

Franklin School, Nassau st. D m 

Boylston School, Fort Hill I j 



South Boston School 

Boylston Hall - D I 

Medical College • D k 

Massachusetts General Hospital B e 

Province House - F i 

Asylum for Indigent Boys H e 

Female Orphan Asylum - F 1 
City Market and Gallery of fine arts G g 

Parkman's Market - B f 

Columbian Museum - F h 

New England Museum - F g 

Atbeneum - H j 

Theatre - - Jj 

Concert Hall - F g 

Exchange Coffee House G h 

Green Dragon - G f 

Washington Gardens - E j 

Pantheon Hall - D 1 

Marlboro' Hotel - F i 

Custom House - I h 



CHURCHES. 



CONGREGATIONAL. 



First, Chauncy place 
Second, Hanover St. 
Third, Old South 
Founh, Brattle st. 
Fifth, (lark st. 
Sixth, Summer st. 
Seventh, Federal st. 



First, Stillman sU 
Second, Salem st. 



Fj 


Eighth, Hollis St. 


D m 


He 


Ninth, Lynde St. 


Df 


F i 


Tenth, Park st. 


Ei 


82 Gg 


Eleventh, Essex st. 


E k 


Id 


Twelfth, N. Allen st. 


Ce 


Gk 


Thirteenth 


South Boston 


Oj 






BAPTIST. 




II d 


Third, Charles st. 


Ah 


Hd 


African, Belknap St. 


Cg 



icing's Chapel, CommoD st. 
Christ's ch. Salem st. 
Trinity ch. Summer st. 



EPISCOPALIAN. 



Fh 
H c 



St. Paul's, Common st. 

St. -Matthew's, South Boston 



Di 



Congress sU 



QUAKER. 
G h 



first. North Bennel si. 
Second, School »t. 



DNIVERSALIST. 



I d 
Fi 



Third, Bulfinch st. 



Eg 



First, Melhodisl alloy 



METHODIST. 
J c Second, Bromfield lane 



ROMAN CAIIIOI.ICK. ^ 

"^liurch of the Holy Cross., Frankliu St. Fj St. Augu'tine"? Chapel, South Boston. 








1. Tot^n Mtfuje . 




2. <ret'ernor.r •' 




J. Sortt/i (}ra7H7ri^ 


arScho 


■f.JTffrffl 


, , 


S. H'H/i/tff School 





BOS TOIS j'lamf-dJ}. /6.W 

B (>lii SW'rffl ii. 'fiM> 

C Cl^ Scntm ^^..lfif'0 

D ^na Ziap/ts (:.-.. J.I -- Ifit'O 

Schoo?. Y BraM,' St ..•..jeffff 

GfuiiX^r. ^,...nf<> 

'OJV'eu- JiTorih. ij.../7/-/ 

\2few Soum ...:,.-L.J7tfi 

^FrcTicJi ij.^.17/6 

L ..Yew Srick ...^.x.JTii 



/"wAv^iv/ a^c^rt/in^ iV ^i-/ o/" Centres j hv ASt^u-eft. 



U 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Cily of Boston owes its origin to a spirit of civil and 
religious liberty, which was excited to action by the persecu- 
tions that prevailed in England, during the reigns of Queen 
Elizabeth, and Kings James and Charles the First. Most of 
those who can properly be considered as first settlers arrived 
here, and in other parts of New-England, prior to the year 
sixteen hundred and forty-three. By that time, it is compu- 
ted, the number of emigrants amounted to twenty-one thou- 
sand two hundred souls, or thereabouts.* 

Had this multitude been composed of barbarian hordes, 
■vvho, in their wanderings for sustenance, might have chanced 
to light upon this fair theatre in its wild and savage state, we 
should have had no interest in tracing their history. The 
wildci'ness they found, would have remained a wilderness 
still, and their descendants have been dancing yet to the or- 
gies of AVoonand and JMannit, or listening to the powaws of 
Hobbamoc and Kiehtan. Not so with us : the hand of re- 
finement has beautified the charms of nature ; monuments of 
art in our own habitations and in the temples of our God, a 
thousand endearments and ten thousand privileges enjoj'ed, 
invite us on every side to inquire into the character of the 
men that have preceded us, and to review the steps in which 
our fathers and ourselves have been led from infancy to our 
present state. To do this is the object we have now set be- 
fore us ; and we are animated to the work by the persuasion. 



* Neal, N. E. ch. V. states the number at 4000, and thinks the above computation very ex- 
travagant, on the grround that only 298 transports were empK\ved. A little calculation, how- 
ever, would have shown that if each of those had brought 72 persons, the number would be 
accounted for -. whereas some of them were ships of good burthen that carried abo\it two 
O 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

that a familiar acquaintance with the story of our early times 
will tend to generate in the reader ' a love of country of the 
best complexion, and of the highest order ; a love of country 
chastened and improved by elevated sentiments and dignified 
examples;' while the recapitulation of events more recent 
may serve to gratify the pride, which springs from a con- 
sciousness of having borne a part in transactions worthy to be 
recorded. 



humlred passcng^crs apiece. Besides, if any conSdence is to be placed in the following 
estimate, which Ncal ciles without any doubts, the matter is almost certainly decided. 

Johnson, in his Womler-Workiu'^ Providence, published in London, 1654, has thus stated 
the. costs of the e.xpediiion. Chap. 13, 14. 

The passage of the persons ----..-.---.--.- 95,0004. 
The transportciiion of swine, goals, sheep, neate and horse, exclusive of 

their cost - 12,000 

Getting food for all the persons until they could get the wood to tillage - 45,000 
Kayles, glasse, and other iron worUe for their meeting-houses, and other 
dwelling houses, before they could raise any other meanes in the country 

to purchase them -.-. -.....- . 18,000 

Armes, powder, bullet, and match, w iib great artillery ---...- 22,000 

192,000/. 

"The whole sum amounts unto i;>2,000/. beside that wliioli tlif adventurers laid out in 
England — neither let any man think the sura above expressed did defray the whole charge 
of this army." 

The charge for a passage was 5 pounds for a person ; — nursing children not to be reckon- 
ed ; those under four years old, three for one; under eight years, two for one ; under twelve 
years, three for Iwo.—Priucc, lee. 1. UC?.— Judge Davis' l>isc. 



BISTOST •? BaSTfty. 11 



CxL^JTER L 



y "Ttf* 111 '.ti Tnr r^cS5 *T' 1^1 iiil'T : 

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tecanced ropery, b Ji esrabiisbei 2 C2:j:rci 
. ; - " : eremonics i: : r : - : 

• Mr E2s:; 
b« Cocr.c; 



will subscribe, write t~}io : rbcse iha: inil not scbscribe, wrce 
Xslo : be ; ■ ,--,• --- __.....__ ,^ ^ 

refusal w:,^ oa 

in case 01 nc-c , :^. 3ia::y 4 ere 

accofdinir^T s. - . es wer« ecicied 

which forbhi pnn:ers anc rs to pcblish xar appeal 

the sudferers niUrh: desire ic 
The wei^i cf this harsk 
upon Doioisrers- Great cjizrrcrs c - 

paihized wiih thea: ; iher abhorrec 
irequent the churches where :hey w , ^^ver. 

depriveti ministers, there rbre. and nds* as^ 

and resolved to break ojf inxa the p^biic criurches 
assemble for worship in private hocses, or elsewhere ^-- .:-^ 
had opportucitT : this step b^s the era or date oi" the Se?wr»- 
fKwi, ' 366, 5 ocedure : :: fail to he^hten jche 

displeasure o: .aar.db. . > - ?, The c-omais^sioe- 

ersweree--: :-, :o be still ntc-c^; severe: 
iweniy-4'o.:r . ; ,~::d seven wociea were se 
prison, tor attet:dia^ a sercon aud cc: - 

private halL and having the boldness to ... - 

before the bishop of Lontioa aod other aia^istrites. Buc 
neither their -^^_ ? nor their su^rir^s ha«^ any itidviecce 
to enect the. ecf the purir?.tts. As we apprcKxch 



12 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

nearer to the period of our particular history, we find them 
exposed to impositions less and less tolerable ; and as a nat- 
ural result of persecution, more and more convinced, both of 
the correctness of their own principles, and of the errors of 
their persecutors. Most of their objections had hitherto been 
made to the ceremoriits of the church : to these they came 
by defrrees to add doubts concerning her doctrines. I'his 
widened the c>:tent of their criminality, and the more certain- 
ly to convict them, they were compelled to answer upon oath 
against themselves. 

In the midst of so much wrong, it is gratifying to discover 
that there was a spirit in the parliament whicii convened in 
1571, to attempt something in favour of the puritans. An act 
was passed with that view, but no material benefit ever accru- 
ed from it. The commissioners went on rigorously executing 
the old laws against all opponents of the established church. 
Among others, two anabaptists suffered under the act for burn- 
ing of hereticks, in Smithficld, July 1575. The narrowness 
of the terms of conformity reduced the number of able 
preachers : most of the incumbents were disguised papists, or 
such conformists as were incapable of performing the ministe- 
rial duties. A fourth part at least of all the preachers in 
England wei-e under suspension, and so many parishes were 
vacated that persons who wished to hear a sermon must go 
five, seven, twelve, and even twenty miles, and that too under 
the penalty of a fine for being absent from their parish church, 
where no service was performed. More effectually to distress 
both people and ministers, the former were forbidden to em- 
ploy any of the latter as instructers of their children. 

'i'he people of London and Cornwall petitioned parliament 
for relief: the whole country exclaimed against the bishops 
for their high proceedings, but all to little purpose. Some 
slight appearances of milder measures were now and then to 
be seen, but the next day would dissipate all hope, and the 
dissenters would be called to witness the public execution of 
their friends on the gallows. The Queen continued resolutely 
bent on perfect obedience to her re<]uirements, and in 1583 
established a court of high cotmnissioti^ with powers to inquire 
into misdemeanors by every way and means they could de- 
vis?, and to punish b}^ fine or imprisonment according to their 
discretion. The j)roceedings of this tribunal were as merci- 
less as its powers were boundless : and when the Commons 
inclined to remed}* some of the evils that arose from this and 
other mca^-urcs of the Queen, they found out the iniquity of 
the act of supremac3', which vested the whole power of re- 
forming the policy of the church in the single person of her 
Majesty, who would permit no infringement on her preroga- 
tive from any quarter whatsoever. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOy. 13 

Under these circumstances the puritans could expect no 
amelioration of their condition during her reign : they there- 
fore looked forward with anxious hopes, to the probable ac- 
cession of King James, who, having been bred a puritan, 
they anticipated would redress their wrongs. Elizabeth died 
on the 24th of March, 1603, and James came to the throne 
only to disappoint these hopes. He had hardly been king a 
year before a proclamation was issued, in which he ordered 
the puritan ministers either to conform by a given day, or 
dispose of themselves and families some other way. He was 
determined to be rid of them, and to sanction his own will, 
procured the opinion of several judges, that it was lawful to 
deprive such ministers as would not conform, that it was not 
necessary to furnish one accused, with a copy of his charge, 
and that it was treasonable to frame petitions and collect nu- 
merous signatures to the same, as the puritans had done. Af- 
ter these determinations, the Archbishop, Bancroft, resumed 
fresh courage and pursued the nonconformists without the 
least compassion. The most trifling causes furnished ground 
for the prosecution of the lait}^, and three hundred of the 
clergy w^ere either silenced, or deprived, or excommunicated, 
or cast into prison, or forced to leave their country, bj^ the 
end of the year 1604. 

A considerable number of religious people had left Eng- 
land, in the time of Mary's persecutions, and some of them 
returned on Elizabeth's accession. We have detailed suffi- 
ciently the reception they met, and we behold them now 
reduced to the alternatives of stifling their consciences or 
quitting their homes. Among those who preferred the latter, 
we perceive a company, to whose unwavering attachment to 
pure and undefiled religion we are indebted for the settlement 
of our country. In the spring of 160^^, the persecution grow- 
ing still hotter, the Rev. John Robinson with a church under 
his care removed into Holland and settled at Leyden.* They 
had not long been there, before they found themselves en- 
countered with many inconveniences : the}' felt that they 
were neither for liealth, nor purse, nor language, well accom- 
modated, but the concern which they most of all had, was for 
their posterity. They could not, with ten years' endeavours, 
bring their neighbours to any suitable observance of the 
Lord's day, without which they knew that all practical relig- 
ion must wither miserably: their children left them, some be- 
coming soldiers, and others sailors; in a few years more their 



* Their first attempt to escape was made at Boston, in Lincolnshire, where they were seiz- 
ed and searched, rifled of their money, books, ic. and then committed to prison. After a 
month's confinement the greatest part were dismissed, but seven of the principal men were 
detained and bound over to the assizes.— Hiitch. ii. app. N'o. 1 



14 HISTORY OV BOSTON. 

descendants would be Dutch, and their church extinct. These 
and other reasons they considered deeply, and after much de- 
liberation took up the resolution, under the conduct of Heav- 
en, to remove into America.* 



CHAPTER II. 

The world was all before them, wbere to choose 
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. 

Milton. 

At the time when that resolution was taken, very little wa& 
known of the state of this part of America. Columbus, who 
was a Genoese, had discovered the West Indies in 1492, un- 
der Spanish patronage. In the spring of 1497. John Cabot, 
a Venetian, obtained a commission from Henry VII. under 
which he made a voyage from England, and discovered the 
continent of North America, in the latitude of forty-five de- 
grees. He proceeded first northerly to the sixty-seventh de- 
gree, and then returning coasted to the south as far as Florida. 
The southern continent was found by Columbus in 1498. 
The first voyage from France to America was made in 1 524, by 
Verrazano, a Florentine. By these voyages and discover- 
ies, the princes of the several states, which authorized them, 
fancied themselves to have acquired the rights of territory 
and jurisdiction. The Spanish and French made various 
settlements in the course of a century. On the part of the 
English little or nothing seems to have been done, until Sir 
Walter Raleigh attempted the colonization of Virginia, be- 
tween 1584 and 1607, when Jamestown was established. An 
effort was made to plant a colony near the mouth of the river 
Kcnnebeck, under the auspices of some very able persons, 
about the year 1607, but the severity of the winter and the 
loss of their storehouse by fire disheartened them, and the 
men took advantage of the first shipping to return to England, 
the next year. A settlement was commenccil at Newfound- 
land in 1610, and in 1614 some Dutch adventurers built a 
fort at Albany, and laid the foundation of that city, and of 
New-York. 

Massachusetts Bay, the bottom of which forms the harbour 
of Boston, had not l)cen much explored previous to that lime. 
Twelve years before, Bartholomew Gosnold, the first English- 
man who came in a direct course to this part of America, 

* i\hig;ii<ilia. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. lb 

sailed from Falmouth in March, and made some part of the 
eastern coast on the 14th of May. Before this, the usual 
route had been by the Canaries and the West Indies. He 
did not enter the bay, but steered directly from Cape Ann to 
the opposite headland, to which he gave the name of Cape 
Cod, from the multitude of that sort of fish, which abounded 
there. 

In the year 1614, the celebrated traveller and navigator, 
Capt. John Smith, sailed from England wiih two ships under 
his command. He explored the coast from Manhegan, an 
island near Penobscot river, to Cape Cod. This trip he made 
in a boat with eight men, for the purpose of bartering with 
the natives, and making such discoveries as might be of fu- 
ture advantage to his employers, and his country. 

Speaking of these parts, he says, I have seen at least forty 
several habitations upon the sea coast, and sounded about 
five-and-twenty excellent good harbours. Of all the four 
parts of the world, I have yet seen uninhabited, could 1 have 
but means to transplant a colony, I would rather live here 
than any where ; and if it did not maintain itself, were we 
but once indifferently well fitted, let us starve. Here are 
many isles planted with corn, groves, mulberries, savage 
gardens and good harbours. The sea coasts, as you pass 
them, show you all along large cornfields and great troops of 
well proportioned people. — Massachusetts, in particular, he 
calls the paradise of these parts, notices its high mountain, 
and its river which doth pierce many days' journey into the 
entrails of that country. But (adds he) the French having 
remained here near six weeks left nothing for us to examine. 
On his return to England, he formed a map from his rough 
draught and observations, which he presented to Prince 
Charles ; who was so well pleased with his description of 
this new discovered region, that he gave it the name of New- 
England. In this map. Smith gave names to the most re- 
markable places on the coast, none of which are retained — 
among others he gave the name of Boston to Agamoniicus. 

This voyage was completed within the period of six months, 
and produced a clear profit of fifteen hundred pounds to the 
principals. Doubtless the spirit of commercial enterprise was 
more powerfully excited by this substantial result, than by 
the high coloured and wonderful description which the Cap- 
tain gave of the country. 

When Smith embarked for London, he left his largest ship 
under the command of Thomas Hunt, to load her with fish 
for Spain. Hunt, when he was ready to sail, enticed into the 
ship twenty-seven Indians from Patuxct and Nausct (since 
Plymouth and Eastham) under pretence of trading with them. 
Immediately he seized upon the poor innocent creatures and 



16 HISTORT OF BOSTON. 

Stowing them under his hatches, carried them ofif to Malaga, 
"where he sold a number of them for twenty pounds a man. 
This atrocious act enraged the Indians, but was eventually of 
some service to the settlers, as we shall have occasion to men- 
tion. 

During a number of years after this, the coast was annually 
visited by vessels, mostly fitted out by merchants, for taking 
fish, and trading with the Indians for furs. Of these voyages 
we have little information. No attempt was made to estab- 
lish a plantation within the bay till 1620, when a permanent 
settlement was made at Plymouth. 

The company which we left in Leyden, at the close of our 
last chapter, furnished the interesting band that made this 
settlement. With mutual embraces and many tears, they 
took leave of their pastor and sailed for Southampton, in Eng- 
land, where they were to meet another vessel prepared for 
the same expedition. On Wednesday the Gth of September, 
1620, they loosed from Plymouth, and after many dilficultics, 
in boisterous storms, upon the ninth of November, by break 
of day, they espied land, which proved to be Cape Cod. It 
was not their intention to have come so far to the northward. 
They therefore made some attempts to proceed towards the 
Hudson, but the w ind jiroving contrary, were compelled to 
stop. Being thus thrown upon a coast where their patent 
gave them no right or power, and some strangers, who had 
joined them from London, disputing the authority of the Gov- 
ernour and assistants, they did, as the light of nature itself 
directed them, forthwith form themselves into a body politic, 
by a solemn contract to which they subscribed their names. 

This first of American constitutions was in the following 
form : — " In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are 
underwritten, the loyal suVijocts of our dread sovereign lord 
king James, by the grace of God, of G. B. France and Ire- 
land king, defender of the faith, &c. having undertaken for 
the glory of God and the advancement of the christian faith, 
and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the 
first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these 
presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and 
one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together in a 
civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, 
and furtherance of the end aforesaid — and by virtue hereof, 
to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, or- 
dinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time as 
shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general 
good of the colony. In witness whereof, we have hereunder 
subscribed our names. (^apc Cod, eleventh of Novemi)er, 
in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord K. James of 
England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth and of Scotland 
the fifty-fourth, A.I). 1620." 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 17 

Having adopted this measure, ihcy proceeded to the choice 
of Mr. John Carver for their Governour, and on the same day 
sent ashore fifteen or sixteen men well armed, to look for a 
convenient spot for their intended residence. Their first and 
second search was unsatisfactory ; and it was not till the 
16th of December, that the ship arrived and anchored in the 
harbour of Patuxet, where the pilgrims at length took up their 
abode, and named the place New-Plymouth.* 



CHAPTER III. 

" Welcome, welcome, Englishmen !" 

Samoset. 

The winter, which lay before these pilgrims, though not se- 
verely cold, proved a doleful one, on account of the sickness 
and deaths among their number ; but the spring favourably 
advanced more early than usual. They had seen only very 
few of the natives, and met with no one near enough to hold 
any communication, until, on the 16th of March 1621, they 
were suddenly alarmed by the appearance of an Indian, who 
presented himself fearlessly, and in broken English, gave 
them a friendly salutation. Plis name was Samoset ; a saga- 
more, or lord of Moratiggon he. ' He had a bow and two ar- 
rows : he was a tall straight man : the hair of his head was 
black, long behind, only short before, none on his face at all. 
He asked some beer, but we gave him strong water, and bis- 
cuit, and butter, and cheese, and pudding, and a piece of mal- 
lard, (roast duck,) all w hich he liked very well.' Their visitor 
gave the party much useful information, and they sent him, the 
next day, on a message to their Indian neighbours. Through 
him they had frequent intercourse w ith small parties of the sav- 
ages, and at last he brought and introduced to them Squanto, 
Squantum or Tisquantum, the only surviving native of the place 
they had taken possession of. Squanto was oije of the twen- 
ty, that Hunt had carried to Spain, and had found his way in- 
to England, where he received kindness, which he was now 
disposed to requite. Our new comers found him verj' faith- 
ful to them, on most occasions, as long as he lived, serving 
them in their expeditions as a guide, mediator and interpreter. 

Before the ejcpiration of a year from the time of their land- 
ing, the people at Plymouth had, by kind dealing and prudent 

* Ifiiilo-ys Journal in Ma?s. Hist. Coll. 2. \x. 40. 



18 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

management, induced nine of the Indian sachems to sign a 
treaty with them, and acknowledge submission to king James. 
This gave them SLfficient confidence in the peaceable disposi- 
tion of the natives, to justify their undertaking to explore the 
country, farther than had before been done. One of the first 
excursions for this purpose was a voyage to the Massachusetts,* 
in which they discovered the harbour of Boston. The fol- 
lowing relation gives us the fullest account of that voyage, 
and being written by one of the party, deserves a place in 
his own words, as a specimen of the minuteness with which 
they recorded all occurrences.! 

' it seemed good to the company in general, that though 
the Massachusetts had often thientcned us, (as we were in- 
formed) yet we should go amongst them, partly to see the 
country, partly to make peace with them, and partly to pro- 
cure their truck. For these ends the governours chose ten 
men, fit for the purpose, and sent Tisquantum, and two other 
savages, to bring us to speech with the people, and interpret 
for us. 

' [On the 18th September 1G21, being Tuesday] we set out 
about midnight, the tide then serving for us ; we, supposing it 
to be nearer than it is, thought to be there the next morning 
betimes : but it proved well near twenty leagues from New- 
Plymouth. We came into the bottom of the bay, but being 
late we anchored and lay in the shallop, not having seen 
any of the people. The next morning we put in for the shore. 
There we found many lobsters, that had been gathered togeth- 
er by the savages, which we made ready under a cliff.l 
The captain sent two sentinels behind the cliff, to the land- 
ward, to secure the shallop, and taking a guide with him, and 
four of our company went to seek the inhabitants, where they 
met a woman coming for her lobsters ; they told her of them 
and contented her for them. She told them where the people 
were : Tisquantum went to them : the rest returned, having 
direction which way to bring the shallop to them. 

' The sachem, or governour of this place, is called Obba- 
tinewat, and though he live in the bottom of the Massachuset 
Bay, yet he is under Massasoyt, He used us very kindly ; 
he told us he durst not remain in any settled place, for fear of 
the Tarcntincs. Also the squaw sachem or Massachusets 
queen was an enemy to him. We told him of divers sachems 
that had acknowledged themselves to be king James his men, 
and if he also would submit himself, we would be his safe- 
guard from his enemies ; which he did, and went along with us 
to bring us to the squaw sachem. 

* Oi'i{^iiialIy the UBiuc uf ll>« Lidiao nation inbnbilin^ Boston and its vicinity, 
f 3la»^. Uiu. Coll 2. ix. 57. 1 6upi>os«(l lu liavo been Copi^'s UiJI. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOV. 19 

' Again we crossed the bay, which is very large and hath 
at least fifty islands in it, but the certain number is not known 
to the inhabitants. Night it was before we came to that side 

of the bay where this people were, that night also we 

rid at anchor aboard the shallop. On the morrow we went 
ashore all but two men, and marched in arms up the country. 
Having gone three miles, we came to a place where corn had 
been newly gathered, a house pulled down, and the people 
gone. A mile from hence, Nanepashemet their king in his 
life time had lived. His house was not like others, but a scaf- 
fold was largely built, with poles and planks some six foot 
from ground, and the house upon that, bemg situated on the 
top of a hill. 

' Not far from hence, in a bottom, we came to a fort built 
by their deceased king, the manner thus : there were poles 
some thirty or forty foot long, stuck in the ground as thick as 
they could be set one by another, and with these they enclo- 
sed a ring some forty or fifty foot over. A trench breast high 
was digged on each side : one way there was to go into it with 
a bridge. In the midst of this palisado stood the frame of an 
house, wherein being dead he lay buried. 

' About a mile from hence we came to such another, but 
seated on the top of an hill ; here Nanepashemet was killed, 
none dwelling in it since the time of his death. At this place 
we staid, and sent two savages to look the inhabitants, and to 
inform them of our ends in coming, that they might not be 
fearful of us. Within a mile of this place they found the wo- 
men of the place together, with their corn on heaps, whither 
we supposed them to be fled for fear of us, and the more, be- 
cause in divers places they had newly pulled down their hou- 
ses, and for haste in one place had left some of their corn, 
covered with a mat, and nobody with it. 

' With much fear they entertained us at first, but seeing our 
gentle carriage towards them, they took heart and entertained 
us in the best manner they could, boiling cod and such other 
things as thej^ had for us. At length with much sending for, 
came one of their men, shaking and trembling for fear. But 
when he saw that we intended them no hurt, but came to track, 
he promised us with his skins also. Of him we inquired for 
their queen; but it seemed she was far from thence, at least 
we could not see her. Here Tisquantum would have had us 
rifled the savage women, and taken their skins, and all such 
things as might be serviceable for us : for, (said he) they are 
a bad people, and have oft threatened you : but our answer 
was, were they never so bad, we would not wrong them, or 
give them any just occasion against us ; for their words, we 
little weighed them, but if they once attempted any thing 
against us, then we would deal far worse than he desired. 
Having well spent the day, we returned to the shallop, almost 



so HISTORr OF BOSTOV. 

all the women accompanying us to the shore. We promised 
them to come again to them, and they us, to keep their skins. 

' Within this bay, the savages say there are two rivers ; 
the one whereof we saw, having a fair entrance, but we had 
no time to discover it. Better harbours for shipping cannot 
be than here are. At the entrance of the bay are many 
rocks; and in all likelihood good fishing gi'ound. Many, yea, 
most of the islands have been inhabited, some being cleared 
from end to end, but the people are all dead or removed. Our 
victual growing scarce, the wind coming fair, and having a 
light moon, we set out at evening, and through the goodness 
of God, came sately home before noon the day following,' 
Avith a considerable quantity of beaver and a good report of 
the place, xvishing we had been seated there. 

In the spring of 1622, another voyage was made from Plym- 
outh to the Massachusetts, but from the accounts we have of 
it, we gain no particular description of the places visited. The 
fisheries in these parts soon increased greatly, thirty to sixty 
Vessels sometimes coining in the course of a season. 

In May, 1622, Mr. Thomas VV^eston, who was one of the 
adventurers at first engaged in the foundation of Plymouth 
colony, but afterwards deserted it, sent over two ships with 50 
or 60 men, at his own charge, to settle a plantation for him. 
They resorted to the place afterwards called Weymouth, but 
the dissolute conduct of the people soon reduced them to pov- 
erty and distress, and the company was broken up, the follow- 
ing year. Another attempt by Captain Gorges to settle a 
plantation at the same place also failed. Early in 1624, Mr. 
David Thompson, Gent, a Scotchman who the year before 
had begun a plantation about Pascataqua (near Portsmouth 
N. H.) on account of a mercantile concern, either disliking 
his place or his employers, removed down into the Massachu- 
setts Bay. There he possessed himself of a fruitful island 
(now Thompson's island, belonging to Dorchester,) and a very 
desirable neck of land, which were aftnrwards confirmed to 
him by the General Court. Not long after this, several of 
the Plymouth people, among whom was Mr. Roger Conant, 
removed and settled themselves at Nantaskct. (Hull) at the en- 
trance of the Massachusetts bay, where a ))uilding had before 
been set up, to accommodate those that traded with the na- 
tives. 

The only remaining party, which it seems necessary to 
mention, is that which was brought in 162.5, by Captain Wol- 
aston, and lefi at a place not far from Weston's, in what is 
now called Brainfree, but Avas for some years considered a 
part of Bjston. He located them in the northerly mountain- 
ous part of the place, which he named Mount \V'olaston. 
This enterprise was a sp:^culation of his and three or four 
partners, who brought with them a number of servants, with 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 21 

suitable provisions, and other requisites to raise a plantation : 
and they might iiave eflectcd their purpose well enough, had 
it not been tor one Thomas Morton, a master of misrule, that 
some time had been a pettifogger of FurnivaPs Inn, (a law- 
school in Holborn, London,) and possibly might have brought 
some small adventure of his own or other men's, ^vith the 
TPst. The Captain and his chief partner, having gone with 
part of the company, to Virginia, Morton in their absence 
made the remainder merry one night, and persuaded them to 
turnout the lieutenant, who had been left in command. 'J'his 
counsel was easy to be taken, as suiting well the genius of the 
young men, and so, with Morton at their head, they spent 
their time in eating, drinking and dancing right merrily about 
a may-pole : and as if they had found a mine or spring of 
plenty, they changed the name of the place to Merry-Mount.* 
This school of profaneness was broken up, soon after a regu- 
lar government became established in Massachusetts. 

Having thus glanced at most, if not all of the prior settle- 
ments and attempts to settle in these parts, we are now* pre- 
pared to speak of the origin and proceedings of the compa- 
ny of the Massachusetts Bay. 



CHAPTER IV.. 

I'eligion stands on tiptoe in our land, 
Ready to pass to the 'Merican strand. 

Herbert in GooHn. 

The death of King James took place on the twenty-seventh 
day of March, 1625, and he was succeeded in the throne, by 
his son Charles the First, w ho committed the government of 
the church to men of arbitrary principles, passionately fond 
of the established rites and ceremonies, and disposed to press 
the observance of them with rigid exactness. Neither learn- 
ing, nor piety, nor diligence and success in his profession, nor 
any other qualification could save a man from ruin, that scru- 
pled conformity to the injunctions of the bishops. The king 
had put the reins into their hands, and they drove on so furi- 
ously, that the whole nation groaned under their tyranny, till, 
at last, the very name of bishop grew odious to the people: 
and when they could get rid of their tyranny no other way, 
they were forced to draw their swords in defence of their lib- 
erties, whereby the kingdom was involved in a civil war.j 



ffHbbnr(Vs Hist, of N. E. p. lOn. t Ifeal. 



22 HISTORY OF BOSTON^. 

This being the melancholy state of affairs, the Rev. John 
White, minister of Dorchester, England, encouraged by the 
success of the Plymouth colony, projected a new settlement 
in the Massachusetts bay. Jle had prevailed with Roger 
Conant, a most religious, prudent, worthy gentleman, to make 
a beijinning as early as the year 1G2j. He removed from 
Nantasket, first to Cape Ann, and thence in the course of the 
fall of 1'.26, to Naumkeag, Salem. Mr. Conant's companions 
were soon disheartened, and mostly quitted the place ; but he 
xvas urged by Mr. White to remain, with assurances, that if 
he and three honest men more would yet stay upon the spot, 
he would procure a patent for them, and send them over 
friends, goods and provisions. ' Well,' says the IMagnalia, 
' it was not long iicfore the Council of Plymouth, in England, 
had by a deed bearing date March 19th, 1627-8, sold unto 
some six knights and gentlemen about Dorchester, that part 
of New-England, which lies between a great river called 
Mf^rrimack and a certain other river there called Charles. 
But shortly after this, Mr. White brought the said honourable 
persons into an acquaintance with several other persons of 
quality, about London ; who associated with them, and joint- 
ly'- petitioned the kin? to confirm their right b}-- a new patent, 
which he did on the 4th of March, in the fourth year of his 
reign.' This patent, or charter, constituted the associates and 
all others who should be admitted free of the association, one 
corporate body politick, by the name of the Governour and 
company of the Massachusetts bay in New-England, whose 
jurisdiction was to extend in breadth, from three miles north 
of any and every part of the Merrimack, to three miles 
south of any and every part of the Charles river, including 
all lands within the space of throe miles to the southward of 
the southernmost part of the Ma^jsachusetts bay, and to reach 
in iensjth from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea. Their 
genei'al Inisincss was to be disposed and ordered by a court 
composed of a Governour, Deputy Governour, and eighteen 
Assistants.* 

* See the cbarter at length in Hutclt. Coll. of papers, p. I. 
The following- were the patentees, who are named in llie order in which they are number- 
ed. Those niarkedl were the six original associates : 

20. Thomas .\aaais 19. Thomas fioffe 3. Sir Uichard Saltonslall 
9. Samuel Aldersey 12. tteor(,'e llarwood 4. Sir Thomas Southcotf 

15. Uichard Bollinuham ■■). John Humphrey t 17. Samuel Vnssall 

21. John Drown 23. Thomas Uulchins 24. William Va.ssall 

22. Samuel Drown 8. Isaac Johnson 10. John Ven 

11. .Mntlhew fraddock 13. Increase Nowell 7. Simon Whetcomh t 

18. Theophilus Eaton 14. Richard Perry I'!. Nalhaniel Wright 

<i. John Endicottt 25. William rinrheon 2. Sir John Voung ) 

'fi. George Foxcrofi I. Sir Henry Hose well f 



HISTORY OF BOSTOi^. 2j 

Soon after the first purchase abovementioned, and previous 
to the procuring of this charter, Mr. John Endicott, who was 
one of the company, was sent over with a few men (in June, 
1628) and uniting his own men with those formerly in the 
country, they made up in all not much above fifty or sixty 
persons. Another supply was sent over in the spring of 1629, 
which consisted of three hundred and eighty-six men, women, 
maids and children. They arrived in June. The Rev. 
Francis Higginson was a principal member of this last com- 
pany. They found but six houses built, besides that of Mr. 
End"icolt, at which Mr. Higginson was kindly entertained.* 

About a hundred of this party, under the conduct of Mr. 
Thomas Graves, soon removed to Charlestown, where a small 
settlement was already made. By Mr. Endicott's permission, 
three brothers, of the name of Ralph, Richard, and William 
Sprague, had started from Salem, in the preceding summer, 
with three or four more, to explore the country westward ; 
and after travelling above twelve miles through the woods, 
they light on a neck of land, called by the Indians, Mishaw- 
um. Their old sachem being dead, his eldest son John Saga- 
more was chief in power. He is described as a man of gen- 
tle and good disposition, and freely consented to their settling 
there. Probably he was the more readily induced to this, by 
the good conduct, and the advantages he derived from the 
skill of Thomas Walford, a blacksmith, who had previously 
taken up his residence, and built himself a house, which he 
had thatched and palisadoed, at the south end of the west 
hill, not far from the river. Both the town and river receiv- 
ed their name in honour of the king. 

The success, which now attended the plantation, encour- 
aged the company to persevere : and several of the principal 
members entered into an agrcementt to remove with them- 
selves and families, provided the whole government, together 
with the patent, might first be legally transferred and estab- 
lished, to remain with them and others who should be inhabi- 
tants therein. The proposal of this measure occasioned con- 
siderable debate ; and it was finally adopted, both for the sake 
of avoiding the inconveniences attending the administration 
of the government, at such a distance, and also for the sake 
of inducing gentlemen of wealth and quality to embark in the 
expedition, with their property and families. This was an 
act of great political importance. Neither the advocates, nor 
the opposers of it, could have truly estimated its magnitude, 

*■ In 1628, the Plymouth people, having- obtained a patent for Kennebeck, where they had 
traded for two years in conjunction with David Thompfon. erected a house up the river in a 
convenient place for business. — Prinre. 

i Hnfch. Coll. p. 25. 



24 HISTORY Ol< EUSTON. 

or have foreseen the great events, which it ultimately produ- 
ced. 

This alteration in the management of the company aflairs, 
was made in August 1629, and on the 20th of October follow- 
ing, a special court was held for the purpose of electing a new 
Governour, deputy and assistants, who should be willing tore- 
move. Mr. John VVinthrop was chosen for the Governour, 
and iMr. Humphrey for the deputy, to hold their places for a 
year ; but Mr. Humphrey, not being likely to hv ready to 
sail, when the rest expected to be, Mr. Thomas Dudley was 
afterwards chosen in his stead. 

Preparations then began to be made with vigour, for the em- 
barkation of a great colony. The Company appointed ten 
persons,* as undertakers,w ho after much intreaty, accepted the 
charge of the management of the stock, and were ordered to 
provide a sufficient number of vessels, for the transportation 
of passengers and goods. Accordingly, by the end of Feb- 
ruary, 1 G ]0, a fleet of fourteen sail was furnished with men, 
women, children, all necessaries, men of handicrafts, and oth- 
ers of good condition, wealth and quality, to make a hrm 
Plantation.! 

In this fleet were congregated our f ithcrs, with their wives 
and their little ones, about tot|tiit forever their native country', 
kindred, fi-iends and accjuaintance. Let us pause a moment, 
and mingle our sympathy with their sorrows, ' as hand in 
hand we see then) lead eacii other to the sandy banks of the 
brinish ocean.' 

' They were about to leave the land of their fathers' sepul- 
chres, perhaps forever ; to break asunder those cords of affec- 
tion, which so powerfully bind a good man to his native soil : 
and to dissolve those tender associations which constitute the 
bliss of civil society. In ordinary cases, the pain of separa- 
tion is lessened by the promises of hope — the pleasure of an- 
other interview ; but here adieu, to most of them at least, was 
to be the last, like the final farewell to a departing spirit.' 



• of whom five wtie to ri'iimiii iu Eiifjlaiid, niid five to go with the colony. Messrs. 
Wiulhrop, Duilley, Johusou, SulluiistuU unci John Kevcl were thu five thai cuiiie over. — Kliot. 
Biog. l^ict. Johnson. t Pr/fur 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. S5 



CHAPTER V. 

" Westward the star of empire rolls its way." 

The fleet above mentioned all sailed before the end of 
Maj'^, and reached America in safety. The first vessel that 
arrived was the Mary-John, which brought over the Rev. 
Messrs. John Warham and John Maverick, with many godly 
families and people, under their care, from Devonshire, Dor- 
setshire, and Somersetshire, together with Messrs. Edward 
Rossiter and Roger Ludlow, two of the assistants, and Roger 
Clap, who was afterwards captain of the castle in Boston 
harbour. They had some difficulty on the passage, with the 
master of the vessel, Capt. Squibb, who, like a merciless man, 
put them and their goods ashore on Nantasket point, notwith- 
standing his engagement was to bring them up Charles river. 
They succeeded, however, in obtaining a boat from some of 
the old planters ; and having laden her with goods, and 
manned her with some able men well armed, (not more than 
ten, under Captain Southcot, a brave low country soldier) 
they went up towards Charlestown. There they found some 
•wigwams, a few English people, and one English house. 
They continued their course up (he river till it became nar- 
row and shallow, which is at Watertown, where they landed 
their goods with much labour on a steep bank. At evening 
they were much alarmed with information, that there was a 
body of three hundred savages encamped near by them. 
Fortunately they had been accompanied from Charlestown 
by an old planter, who knew enough of the Indian tongue 
and Indian disposition, to succeed in persuading them not to 
molest the party during the night. In the morning, some of 
the savages made their appearance, but stood awhile at a dis- 
tance : at last one of them held out a bass, and the English 
sent a man with a biscuit, to exchange for it ; and thus com- 
menced a friendly intercourse. A shelter for their goods was 
erected at the place, but they did not long remain there, for 
their companions discovered a neck of land* fit to keep cattle 
upon, adjoining Mattapan, (Dorchester.) and these were or- 
dered to join them. 

This all took place before the fourteenth of June, on which 
day the admiral of the New England fleet arrived in Salem 

* Tliis neck of land iiiclix'^'d vh^t is now called South Cotton. 



26 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

harbour. In the vessel which bore that distinction, GoV- 
Winthrop and Mr. Isaac Johnson came passengers, and the 
Govcrnour has left us, in his journal, a circumstantial account 
of the voyage, from which we select the following particulars. 

On Monday, March 29, 1630, they were riding at the 
Covves, near the Isle of Wight, in the Arabella (for so they 
eallcd the Eagle, in honour of the Lady Arabella, wife of Mr. 
Johnson) a ship of three hundred and fifty tons, Capt. Peter 
Milbourne, manned with fifty-two seamen, and carrying 
twenty-eight guns. The Ambrose, Jewel, and Talbot were 
riding by their side. On that day it was agreed, that, foras- 
much as it was uncertain when the rest of the fleet would be 
ready, these four ships should consort together, the Arabella 
to be admiral, Talbot vice admiral, Ambrose rear admiral, 
and the Jewel a captain. 

By head winds and other causes they were detained a 
week, during which they improved one day as a fast. On 
the 8th of April, about six in the morning, the wind being E. 
and by N. and fair weather, we weighed anchor and set sail. 
By daylight on the 9th we were come to Portland, but the 
other ships not being able to hold up with us, we were forced 
to spare our mainsail, and went on with a merry gale. In the 
morning we descried, from the top, eight sail astern of us, 
and supposing they might be Dunkirkers,* our captain caus- 
ed the gun room and gun deck to be cleared, all the ham- 
mocks taken down, our ordnance loaded, powder chests and 
fire works made ready, and our landsmen were quartered 
among the seamen, twenty-five appointed musketeers, and 
every man assigned to his post. The wind continued N. with 
fair weather, and after noon it calmed, and we still saw those 
eight ships to stand towards us. Having more wind than we, 
they came up again, so that our captain and the masters of 
our consorts were more occasioned to think they niight be 
Dunkirkers ! for we were told at Yarmouth there were ten 
sail of them waiting for us ! Whereupon we all prepared to 
fight with them ; took down some cabins which were in the 
way of our guns, threw out of every ship such bed matters as 
were subject to fire, hove out our long boat, and put up our 
waste cloths, and drew forth our men, and armed them with 
muskets and other weapons, and instruments for fireworks ; 
and for an experiment, our captain shot a ball of wildfire, fas- 
tened to an arrow, out of a cross-bow, which burnt in the 
water a good time. The Lady Arabella, and the other 



* Dunkirk was then a part of the Spanish Netherlands, and war existed between Great 
Britain and Sjwin. 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 27 

women and children, were removed into the lower deck, that 
thej might be out of danger. 

All things being thus fitted, we went to prayer. It was 
much to see how cheerful and comfortable all the company 
appeared ; not a woman or child that showed fear, though 
all did apprehend the danger to be great ; for there had been 
eight agamst four, and the least of the enemy's ships was re- 
puted to carry thirty brass pieces : but our trust was in the 
Lord of hosts : and the courage of our captain, and his care 
and diligence, did much encourage us. 

It was now about one of the clock, and the fleet seemed to 
be w ithin a league of us ; therefore the ca}-rtain, because he 
would show he was not afraid of them, and that he might see 
the issue before night, tacked about and stood to meet them, 
and when we came within hail, we perceived them to be our 
friends : and so, God be praised, our fear and danger was 
turned into mirth and friendly entertainment. 

The weather during the remainder of the voyage was va- 
riable, sometimes mild, and sometimes boisterous. The pas- 
sengers, as may well be supposed, suffered from sea-sickness, 
and that contributed to the amusement of the hardy sailors. 
' Our children and others that were sick, and lay groaning in 
the cabins, we fetched out, and having a rope stretched from 
the steerage to the mainmast, we made them stand, some on 
one side and some on the other, and swing it up and down till 
they were weary, and by this means they soon grew well and 
merry. The captain set our children and grown men to some 
other harmless exercises, which the seamen were very active 
in, and which did our people much good, though the sailors 
would sometimes play the wag with them.' 

Very strict attention to religious duties was observed, and 
the most rigid discipline enforced. On one occasion, two of 
the landsmen were laid in the bolts all night, for piercing a 
rundlet of strong water, and stealing some of the same ; and 
the next morning, the principal was openly whipped, and both 
were kept on bread and water all day. Two young men 
falling at odds, and fighting, contrary to orders which were 
set up in the ship, were sentenced to walk upon deck till 
night, with their hands tied behind them : and another man, 
• for using contemptuous speech in our presence,'' was laid in 
bolts, till he made open confession of his offence. A servant 
of one of the company had made a bargain with a child, to 
sell him a trinket box worth three pence, for three biscuits a 
day all the voyage, and the rogue had received about forty, 
and sold them to his comrades, before he was found out. ' We 
caused his hands to be tied up to a bar, and hung a basket 
full of stones about his neck, and so he stood for two hours." 



'i8 UlSTOllY OF BOSTOV. 

Thus they commenced their state, with the maintenance ot 
dignity, sobriety, good order, and honesty. 

No accident of any moment occurred on board the Arabel- 
la. They saw one or two whales (one with a bunch on his 
back, about a yard above water !) and all the way were 
birds flying and swimming, when they had no land near, by 
two hundred leagues. 

On the third of June, they approached near enough to the 
coast, to get soundings in eighty fathoms, and on the seventh, 
in thirty fathoms, they were regaling themselves with fresh 
fish of tiieir own catching. On the eighth, they had sight of 
land, which they supposed Manhegan, but it proved to be 
Mount Desert. So pleasant a scene here they had, as did 
much refresh them, and there came a smell oil" the shore, like 
the smell of a garden : and Noah could hardly have been 
more gratified to behold his dove, with the olive leaf in her 
mouth, than they must have been delighted, to receive a visit 
from a wild pigeon, and another small bird from the land. 

All day on the eleventh, they stood to and again, within 
sight of Cape Ann. On Saturday the twelfth, at four in the 
morning, they gave notice of their approach, from two pieces 
of ordnance, and sent their skill' ashore. In the course of the 
day, passing through the narrow strait between Baker's isle 
and another little island, they came to an anchor, a short dis- 
tance from Salem harbour. 

Mr. Kndicott and others went on board ; and we that were 
assistants, and some other gentlemen, and some of the women 
and our captain, returned with him to Salem, where we sup- 
ped' on a good venison pasty and good beer. Next morning, 
many of the rest of the people went on shore, upon the other 
side of the harbour, and feasted themselves with strawberries, 
which they found in such abundance that they named the 
place Strawberiy bank. 

Early in the morning of Monday the fourteenth, ' we weigh- 
ed anchor, and the wind being against us, and the channel so 
narrow that we could not well turn, we warped in our ship, 
and came to an anchor in the inward harbour. In the after- 
noon, we went with llie most of our company on shore, and 
our captain gave us a salute of five guns.' 

The other- ships of the licet fell in ilaily, and by the sixth of 
July, iliirtteii out of the fourteen hail arrived safe in New- 
England, without the loss of more than fifteen lives by sick- 
ness or accident. A day of publick thanksgiving was there- 
fore kept, on the eighth of that month, through all the plan- 
tations. 



JHISTORT OF BOSTOX. 29* 



CHAPTER VI. 

Whate'er in life may be my varied lot, 
Boston, dear Boston, ne'er sliall be forgot. 

R. T. Paine. 

It appears to have been the original design, that the prin- 
cipal part of this colony of fifteen hundred persons should 
have settled in one place, which they intended to call by the 
name of Boston. This design was frustrated by such circum- 
stances as the following.* 

They found the colon}^ at Salem in a sad and unexpected 
condition. Above eighty deaths had occurred the winter be- 
fore, and of those that remained alive, many were weak 
and sickly. All the corn and bread, amongst them all, was 
hardly sufficient to feed them a fortnight ; so that when the 
remainder of the great company of servants, sent over two 
years before, applied for sustenance, they found themselves 
wholly unable to afford it, ' by reason that the provisions 
shipped for them were taken out of the ship they were put in, 
and they who were trusted to ship them in another, failed us 
and left them behind. Whereupon necessity forced us, to 
our extreme loss, to give them all libert}^ who had cost us 
about sixteen or twenty pound a person, furnishing and send- 
ing over.' 

' But bearing these things as we might, we began to consult 
about a place for our sitting down: for Salem, where we land- 
ed, pleased us not. So some were sent to the bay, to search 
up the rivers for a convenient place, who upon their return 
reported to have found a good place upon Mystick : but some 
others of us seconding these, to approve or dislike of their 
judgement, we found a place liked us better, three leagues up 
Charles river. Thereupon we unshipped our goods into 
other vessels, with much cost and labour, and brought them in 
July to Charlestown. But there receiving information (by 
some of the ships lately arrived) of some French preparations 
against us, wc were forced to change our counsel ; for many 
of our people were sick of fevers and the scurvy, and we 
were thereby weakened and unable to carry our baggage and 
ordnance so far up the river as we proposed. For our pres- 
ent shelter, therefore, we were obliged to plant dispersedly, 
(in various directions from Saugus to Dorchester.) This dis- 

* From riuUey'? letter to tlie Countess of Lincoln. Mass. H. C. 1. viii. 38. 



30 HISTORY OF BOSTON'. 

pension troubled some of us, but help it \vc could not, want- 
ing ability to remove to any place fit to build a town upon, 
and the time being too short to deliberate any longer, lest the 
winter should surprize us before we had erected our houses. 
So ceasing to consult further, for that time, they who had 
health to labour fell to building.' 

Govrrnour Winthrop was among those who stopped at 
Charlestown. He and other publick officers were accommo- 
dated in a building, called the great house, on the w estcrly 
side of the present market square. The remainder resided 
in cottages, booths, and tents, where their lodgings were so 
cold and moist, as to cause a continued prevalence of disease 
among them, to such an extent as that there were not enough of 
the well, to take care of the sick. Dr. Samuel Fuller, a deacon 
of the church of Pl3-mouth, appears to have spent several 
weeks in the neighbourhood in attendance upon them, but 
without doins: much good (as he complained) for the want of 
drugs and things fitting to work with. Deaths spread around 
thcra, and ai:nost every family was filled with lamentation for 
the loss of some of its membei's. 

In consequence of this affliction, the Govcrnour proposed 
to Mr. Johnson, ihat a day should be set apart for fasting and 
pruycr. Accordinirl}^ Friday, the 30th of July, was agreed 
upon, and devoted lor that purpose. After the services of 
the day,* it had been proposed, that such godly persons 
among ihem. as knew each other, should enter into a church 
covenant. Conformably to this arrangement, Governour Win- 
throp. Deputy Governour Dudlej', Mr. Johnson, and the Rev. 
Mr. Wilson, on that day signed the following covenant : 

" In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in obedience 
to his holy will and divine ordinance, 

" Wc, whose names are here underwritten, being by his 
most wise and good providence brought together into this part 
of America, in the Bay of Massachusetts, and desirous to 
unite into one congregation or church, under the Lord Jesus 
Christ, our he^d, in such sort, as becomcth all those, whom he 
hath redeemed, and sanctified to himself, do hercb}' solemnly 
and religiously, as in his most holy presence, promise and 
bind ourselves to walk in all our wa^'s according to the rule 
of the gos|)eI, and in all sincere conformity to his holy ordi- 
nances, and in 'uiitual love and respect to each other so near, 
as (lod shall give us grace." 



* Tljc first meetings of ilic coiigregalion were held in tlie open air, under the shade of 
an oak tree, and proliubly cominupd to he so for some time ; for here, savs Ro^cr Clap, 

1 have heard Mr. Wdson and Mr. Pliillips preacli many a !:ood sermon they afterwards 

met in the great houst. 



HISTOKY OF BOSTON. 31 

On the Lord's day following, tive more were added to the 
church, namely, Increase Nouell, Thomas Sharp, Simon 
Bradstreet, assistants, William Gager, a surgeon, and William 
Colburn. 

At this time they had no other intention than that of making 
Charlestown the place of their permanent abode, and the 
Governour had ordered timber to be cut, and a house I'ramed 
for himself there. But the sickness increasing, and the weath- 
er being hot, the people grew uneasy and discontented for the 
•want of water. Strange as it may seem to those who now 
know that Charlestown abounds with good water, yet they 
could then only tind one brackish spring, and that upon the 
beach, on the west side of the northwest tield, (near the pres- 
ent site of the state prison) which was not to be come at, but 
when the tide was down.* This spring could not supply half 
the necessities of the multitude, and the death of many was 
thought to be owing to the want of wholesome drink. Sev- 
eral persons were therefore induced to make excursions, for 
the discovery of some more heathful spot. 

Besides the English who were located at Charlestown, when 
the Governour and his colony arrived, there lived on Noddle's 
island, one Mr. Samuel Maverick, a man of very loving and 
courteous behaviour, very read\- to entertain strangers. The 
Governour lay a night at his house, while on the iirst explor- 
ing party. He had thrown up a small fort on the island, by 
the aid of Mr. Thompson, and had four cannon mounted in it 
to protect him from the Indians. Mr. Maverick was a man 
that made some figure in the history of after times, and had a 
grant or conhrmation of the island from the general court.! 

On the south side of the month of Charles river there also 
resided, in a small cottage, one Mr. William Blackstone. The 
spot_ upon which he had pitched, was near a point on the 
western side of a peninsula, which, at high water, appeared 
in those days like two islands, the north and south parts being 
connected only by a narrow isthmus. The Indian name of 
the place was Shcuvmuf, and the English at Charlestown call- 
ed it Trimountain. 

Mr. Blackstone's self interest did not stifle his feelings of 
humanity, and though he might claim the peninsula for his 
propert}^ as havinir been the Iirst Englishman, that slept upon 
it, he communicated to the Governour the information that he 
had found an excellent spring on his side of the river, and 
urged him w iih pressing invitations to remove thither. This 
incident, and the fact of their being much pleased with the 

* JoUnsou's W. W. P. ch. 17. and Dr. Bartlelt's hist, sketch of Charlestown iu M. H. 
Coll. 2. ii. 88. 165. 

t August 20. The Gift, being- the fourtecntli and last vessel of the X. E. tlect. arrives 
■with the loss of but one passenger, though she had been t^vohe wecli": at «cv» 



32 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

plain neck (which then bore the name of Blackstone's neck,) 
at the south end of the peninsula, induced Mr. Johnson, who 
was a very inlluential and leading man, to remove with sev- 
eral others and begin a scttlcmenl. This took place in Au- 
gust. 

On Monday the 23d of August, the first Court of Assist- 
ants, under the authority of the patent, was holdcn on board 
the ArabeMa, at Charlestown. The first question propound- 
ed, was, How shall the lyiinislers be maintained ? — and it was 
ordered that houses be buiU for them at the public charge, and 
their salaries were established. The minister at AVatertown, 
Rev. George PhiUips, was to have thirty pounds a year, and 
Mr. Wilson twenty pounds a ^^ear till his wife came over, be- 
ginning from the tenth of July preceding. All this was at 
the common charge, excepting that the people at Dorchester 
and Salem were not to be taxed for this object. Governour 
AVinthrop undertook to see the above orders carried into ef- 
fect, at his plantation, which embraced Charlestown and 
Boston. 

On Friday, the 27th of the same month, the congregation 
kept a fast, and chose Mr. Wilson for their teacher, Mr. In- 
crease Nowel an elder, and Dr. Gager and Mr. William As- 
pinwall for deacons. These were all installed by the impo- 
sition of hands, with a solemn protest, that it was only 
by way of election and conlirmation, and not designed to in- 
validate, or dis[)arage Mr. AVilson's previous ordination in 
England. 

At the second court of Assistants, which was also holden at 
Charlestown, an order was passed, that no person plant in any 
place within the limits of the patent, without leave from the 
Governour and Assistants, or a mnjor ]vart of them. At this 
court it was also ordered, that the town at Mattapan be .call- 
ed Dorchester, that upon Charles River, Watertown, and that 
'J'rimountain be called BOSTON. This was on the 7th day 
of September, 1630, and from that day we date the founda- 
tion of our city. 

Whence originated the two latter of these thi-ee names, 
Shawmut, Tritnountain and Jioston, is matter of historical rec- 
ord. In regard to the signilication of Shawmut we can only 
state conjecture. It seems to have been a universal custom, 
derived from the first fathers of mankind, to denominate pla- 
ces, from some peculiar excellences discovered in them : and 
the names appropriated were generally drawn from fancied 
resemblances, in these peculiarities, to parts of the iumian 
body. Before the art of . sinking wells was known, fountains or 
springs of water were of infinite value ; and the practice of giv- 
ing names to places from them, was prevalent among the ab- 
origines of Massachusetts, it was very common with the Jews 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 33 

and other Eastern nations, to call such springs by the terms 
appropriated in their languages to the eye, whose piercing 
brilliancy sparkles in the visage, as the gurgling fountain does 
upon the grassy plain. Those that believe, with many who 
are not altogetlier unwise, that the native American tribes 
were descendants of the ten tribes of Israel, will have little 
difficulty to discover in Shauimut the radicals of the two eyes, 
that shoot forth on either side of the ridge of high land be- 
tween Charles and Congress streets, and the termination, uf, 
which is a particle of place, equivalent lo at. Such will 
readily coincide in the ingenious conclusion lately drawn, that 
Shawmut signitied living foun I ains, to which the natives were 
probably in the daily habit of crossing over, in their canoes, 
from the opposite peninsula, to procure fresh water v/hen the 
great spring there was overflowed by the tide.* 

The etymology of the wordTrimountain leads us directly to 
the origin of that name. Shawmut presented to those who view- 
ed it from Charlestown, the appearance only of three large 
hills ; one en the north, one far to the east, and another form- 
ing the whole western extremity of the place. On the last 
were three lofty and majestic eminences, and on the brow 
of the easternmost of these, three little rising hillocks appear- 
ed in a contiguous range. The combination of these circum= 
stances doubtless gave rise to the name of Trimountain. 

No reason is assigned on the records of the court for 
changing the name of Trimountain for that of Boston. It is 
however universally agreed, that the name itself had been se- 
lected in compliment to the Rev. John Cotton, who at that 
time was a preacher at Boston, in Lincolnshire, and whom 
they expected very soon to come over and take part in the 
establishment of their colony. Boston, moreover, had been a 
place of note in the annals of the persecuted puritans, and 
several of those who first settled here were born there : and 



* Mass. H. C. 2. x. 174. To the examples there adduced, may be added Moshawsick the 
name of Providence, where is still shown a venerated spring', wliich induced Roger Wil- 
liams to stop his canoe and land at that place. 

Our Shawmut is still remarkable for the great number of its productive springs of excel- 
lent water. A well has recently been dug for the accommodation of a house, building at the 
^lead of School street, opposite the Stone Chapel. When the workmen had reached the 
dept h of about sixtyfive feet, a spring burst into the well several feet from the bottom, 
and flowed with tuch rapidity as to fill it to the height of forty feet in twenty-five minutes. 
Nest morning they undertook to draw out the water by means of a wliip tackle. In the 
course of seven hours, during which time several men with two horses raised at the rate of 
live barrels of water in two minuter-, making in all more than a thousand barrels, they suc- 
ceeded in exhausting the water so far as to admit of layinn" the wal'. Tti a fnw <javs thft 
water assumed the usual I'^vel of that in other well«. 



Si HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

it is also not improbable, that the sagacity of Winthrop and 
Johnson seeing ' the prognosticks of its future greatness writ- 
ten on the face of nature, too legibly and too indelibly to be 
mistaken,' they may have claimed for the place of their choice, 
the name originally intended for their chief city. 

Boston, in Lincolnshire, is a borough town, seated on both 
sides of the river VVitham, near its mouth. It is a hundred 
and seventeen miles north of London. In 1811, it contained 
8113 inhabitants. It is governed by a mayor and sends two 
members to parliament. It is famous for the tower of its 
Gothick church, which is two hundred and eighty-two feet 
high, being one of the most lofty and elegant of the kind, and 
a noted sea-mark. The English name, Boston, appears t© 
have been a contraction of Botolph's town, which name 
the place bore in old time, in honour of Botolph, a pious 
Saxon, who had a monastery there. It is worthy of notice, 
however, that Iccan-hoe, which was a more ancient Saxon 
appellation, signifies Oxen-town, between which and the mean- 
ing of Boston there is a fancied resemblance. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Better to sit in Freedom's hall, 
With a cold damp floor and mouldering wall. 
Than to l)cnd the neck, and to bow the knee 
In the proudest palace of slaverx-. 

Gcmum Epigi-am. 

TiiE third court of Assistants sat at Charlcstown, Septem- 
ber 28th, 1G30. The first General Court of the colony was 
holden at Boston, not by representatives, but by every one 
that was free of the corporation, in person, on the 19th of Oc- 
tober following. Between these two dates. Gov. Winthrop 
and most of the people had removed from Charlcstown, 
where there remained but seventeen male inhabitants. The 
rank which the several towns held in point of population and 
wealth combined, may be discovered from the apportionment 
of a tax of fifty pounds, levied for some military purposes. 

1. Charlcstown was to pay £. 7 G. Mcdford . £.3 

2. Boston 11 7. Salem ... 3 

3. Dorchester 7 8. (Weymouth) 2 

4. Box bury 5 9. Nantasket . . I 

5. Watcrlowa 11 



\ 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 35 

The publick object of most importance which first engaged 
the attention of those in office, was the selection of a proper 
place for a fortified town, of which they supposed there would 
be great necessity, to secure them from the natives. Several 
places were proposed. At one meeting, December 6th, they 
resolved to build upon the neck between Roxbury and Bos- 
ton, and appointed a committee to attend to the business. 
The committee met, and growing wiser by deliberation, con- 
eluded that the location was not a suitable one for the purpose, 
and agreed to meet again at Watertown to consider farther on 
the subject. There, on the 21st, they made up their minds to 
erect their fortifications at a spot a mile below, where they 
thought was a fit place for a fortified town •, but at last on the 
28th. they finally decided on building about three miles above 
Charlestown, on the northwest side of the river. They called 
the place Newtown (at present Cambridge) and the Governour 
and Deputy, with all the assistants, except Messrs. Sharp and 
Endicott obliged themselves to build houses there, in the fol- 
lowing spring. But before much was done in compliance 
with this obligation, Chicatabot, the chief of the Indians near 
Boston, came to visit the Governour, and made such high 
professions of friendship as to diminish the apprehensions of 
danger, so that the necessity of having a fortified town gradu- 
ally appeared less and less, until the plan was wholly laid 
aside. This result must have been doubly gratifying to the 
people of Boston, who would have regarded the formal estab- 
lishment of the seat of government at Newtown as fatal to their 
own prosperity. 

About a year had now elapsed since the colony had left 
their native land. Many of them had there enjoyed the best 
of society. Their family connexions were honourable: their 
professions and occupations in life had been reputable and 
profitable, and every comfort, which the possession of ^ fruitful 
lands, stately buildings, goodly orchards and gardens' could 
afibrd, had been at their command. Here they could expect 
to find nothing but a desert, without any worldly allurement 
to recommend it; but they calculated on the free enjoyment 
of religious privileges, and that sufficed to counterbalance 
every other consideration. On that they relied with confi- 
dence that it would encourage them to sustain affliction and 
hardship of every description, that the imagination could an- 
ticipate. The tenour of every memorial which our first set- 
tlers have left behind them, proves this to haye been their pre- 
dominant feeling. Questionless there were some among them 
whose object was merchandize, and who devoted themselves 
to commercial pursuits with the hope of gain : doubtless, too, 
says Foxcroft, in his observations on the rise and primitive 
state of New-England, ' They had a mixture of false profes- 



36 HISTORY OF UOSTO.Nc 

sors among them, but let me speak it frcety,w ithout oflencc 
to any, the tirst beginners of this plantation, as to the body of 
them, were an excellent set of real and living Christians.' 
And their religion exhibited itself pure and undefiled in the 
scenes of distress which they witnessed, and the firmness of 
their faith was manifested by the patience with which they 
submitted to privation, and the perseverance with which thoy 
pursued their object. 

We have mentioned the prevalence of a mortal sickness 
among them previous to the removal from Charlestown. Its 
ravages did not abate immediately in consequence of that 
change of residence, but continued till December, by which 
time two hundred at least had fallen its victims.* With char- 
aclcristick impartiality death swept away the wealthy and 
the poor, the bondman and his master. Besides others of 
note they had to mourn over the ladies of Messrs. Codding- 
ton and Pincheon, two of the Assistants, and the Lady Ara- 
bella. The death of the last named personage excited a \ery 
general interest. She was the pride of the colony. There 
"Were several other women of distinction, who encountered the 
fatigue and perils of the day w'ith laudable resolution, but the 
devotedness of the lady Arabella shone peculiarly conspicu- 
ous. She was a daughter ol" the Earl of Lincoln, and her 
union with Air. Johnson was a very happy one. The lan- 
guage of her soul to him was such as is ascribed to an ancient 
Spanish lady — ' whithersoever your fatall destinie shall dry ve 
you, cyther by the furious waves of the great ocean, or by 
the many-folde and horrible dangers of the lande, I wyl sure- 
ly beare you company* There can no pcryll chaunce to mc 
so terrible, nor an}'^ kinde of death so crueil. that shall not be 
much easier for mo to abydc, than to live so farre separate 
from 30U.' Pattci-n of fidelity ! her desire was gratified : she 
left the paradise of peace and plenty which she enjo^'cd in 
the famih' of her noble father, and came into a wilderness, of 
wants, that proved too severe a trial for her. The virtues of 
her mind could not protect her body from the tide of adversi- 
ties, which overwhelmed her soon after her arrival: 

' O'er lirr soft form diseases sternly crept, 
And gave the lovely victim to tlie tomb.' 

She died and was buried at Salem in the month of August. 
'J'he tcais which this event occasioned had scarcely ceased 
to flow, when the people of Boston were called to weep for 
the loss of jMr. Johnson himself. The death of such a man 
spread a melancholy paleness on every countenance. All 

* When the fleet returned this fall, Hboul 200 of the people ciUier returned borne or left 
Massachusetts for varioui rea>oni''. — Dudleys Letter. 



1 




HISTORY OF BOSTON. 37 

considered him as their principal patron. He might be cal- 
led the father of Boston, as it was he that persuaucd Gover- 
nour Winthrop and the rest of the company to cross the river. 
He was the richest man of all the planters, and had early bent 
himself with pious zeal to advance the interests of the colony. 
He assisted many good people with means to come over, be- 
cjueathed a portion of his property to the company, and order- 
ed his executors to carry on his share oi- part in it. 

He was the son of Abraham Johnson, Esq. of Clipsham, in 
the county of Rutland, and his estates lay in Rutland, North- 
amptonshire, and Lincolnshire. The first mention made of 
him, in connexion with the Massachusetts company, is that he 
was chosen one of the Assistants on the thirteenth of May, 
sixteen hundred and twenty-nine. The confidence which the 
corporation had in him is evident, from their soon after elect- 
ing him as a referee, in a case of dispute which arose between 
Mr. Endicott and John and Samuel Brown at Salem. He 
was one of those that signed the agreement to remove, in case 
the government and patent might be transferred, and one of 
the argumentators appointed to discuss the expediency of that 
measure. After the decision in favour of that step, he was 
nominated at the same time with Winthrop, SaUonstall and 
Humphrey, as a candidate for the office of tirst Governour. 
On his arrival here, he was clothed with the powers of a Jus- 
tice of the peace, and in thatcapacity presided with Winthrop 
at a jury of inquest on the 18th of September. Tiiisisthe last 
of his official acts recorded. The weight of publick cares, 
added to the burden of his grief for the loss of his wife, over- 
powered the strength of his constitution, and he yielded up 
his life, ' in sweet peace,' on the 30th of that month. 

Mr. Johnson had chosen for his lot the square which lies 
between Court Street, Washington, School and Common 
Streets. Tradition locates his house about the centre of the 
Northeast side, that is, near the present site of the old Court- 
House. According to his particular desire expressed on his 
death bed, he was buried at the Southwest corner of the lot, 
and the people exhibited their attachment to him, by ordering 
their bodies to bo buried near him. This was the origin of 
the first burying place, at present the Chapel burial ground. 

There is a mournful pleasure in marking the terms of afTcc- 
iion and respect, in which the early writers uniformly speak 
of Mr. Johnson's character. Governour Winthrop says 
' he was a holy man and wise.' Dudley, that ' he was a prime 
man among us, zealous for religion, and made a most godly 
end, dying willingly and professing his life better spent in 
promoting this plantation, than it coukl have been anj^ other 
way ; he left to us a loss greater than the most conceived.' 
His namesake, the author of the ^Vender AVorkin^; Providence. 



38 HISTOllI Of BOSTOJr. 

speaks of him as ' endued with many precious gifts, and a 
chief pillar to support this new erected building; so that at 
his departure there were not only many weeping eyes, but 
some fainting hearts, fearing the failure of the undertaking:' 
and Cotton Mather comprehends all in the report, that he 
was a perfect and upright man. 

In the midst of these afflictions Dr. Gager died. He 
was their principal, if not their only physician and sur- 
geon, fie is represented as a man of skill in his profession, 
and we have seen that the soundness of his faith, and the pu- 
rity of his life had promoted him to the oHice of a deacon in 
the infant church. He was considered a publick servant, and 
the same court, which provided for the salaries of the minis- 
ters, ordered that a hoOse should be built for him against the 
coming spring, that he should be furnished with a cow, and 
be paid twenty pounds tor his first year, and afterwards have 
thirty pounds per annum at the common charge.* 

Several other deaths are recorded which added to the 
grief of the people; among them that of Mr. Robert Weldcn, 
who had been chosen to be a military captain, but died at 
Charlestown, before having an opportunity to act in that ca- 
pacit3\ He was a young gentleman of high promise, and 
considerable experience as a soldier. His remains were 
brought to Boston, and interred with military honours, • three 
voUej^s of shot' being then, as at present, the customary trib- 
ute of respect. 

There was yet one other distress to be endured, and that 
was the danger of famine. We know they arrived too late 
in the season to plant, and brought too small a stock of pro- 
visions with them, and the extreme drought of the summer 
had threatened a total consumption of the fruits of the earth. 
^V'hen the winter set in, which was on the 21th of December, 
the cold came on with violence. Till that day the weather 
had been for the most part fair, and open, with gentle frosts 
at night; but, by the 26th, the river was so frozen over that 
they of Charlestown could not come to the sermon at Boston, 
till afternoon at high water. From that time their chief care 
was to keep themselves warm, and as comfortable in other 
respects as their scanty means would permit. They were so 
short of provisions that many were obliged to live upon mus- 
cles, clams and other shell fish, with groundnuts and acorns 
instead of bread. ' Oh,' says Roger Clap, ' the hunger that 
many suflered, and saw no hope in the eye of reason to be 
relieved. Flesh of all kinds was a rare thing, and bread so 
very scarce that sometimes I thought the very crumbs of my 



* Douglats, in his way, suys, ' Wintliro]) was very charitable particularly in Jistributing 
tiif UieUlciniil Van llolmonl nuitruni^ uiiiynij the poor.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 39 

father's table would have been aweet to mc; and when I 
could have meal and water and salt boiled together' (the ele- 
ments of a favourite New England dish; ' who could wish 
better !' 

Being thus situated, they beheld with much joy the return 
of Captain William Pierce on the 5th of February 1631, in 
the ship Lion, laden with provisions, according to a contract 
which he had made previous to his sailing away in the fall. 

We close this chapter of calamities with an account of the 
FIRST FIRE which is recorded to have happened in Uoston. 
About noon on the 16th of March, 1631, the chimney of Mr. 
Thomas Sharp's house caught fire, the splinters not being 
clayed at the top, and taking the thatch burnt it down. The 
wind being Northwest drove the fire to Mr. Colburn's house* 
which was some rods oft', and burnt that down also. Both of 
these gentlemen's houses were as good and as well furnished 
as the most in the plantation. Much of their own furniture vyas 
destroyed, together with the goods of some other families, 
which occupied parts of their houses. 

Captain Pierce was soon ready to return, and Mr. Wilson 
had made arrangements to go with him. On (he 29th of 
March he had an aftcctionatc meeting at the Govcrnours, 
with a number of his people. He recommended to them the 
strict observance of religious duties during his absence, and 
designated Messrs. Winthrop, Dudley and Nowell, as the per- 
sons in his opinion best qualified to lead the devotions of the 
congregation. He sailed from Salem on the first of April, 
and the Boston church was thus left destitute of a preacher, 
until the arrival of Mr. John Eliot in the Novcraber following. 



CimOXOLOGICAL ITEM«. 

With a view to exhibit some traces of the early progress in 
trade, and of the customs of the times, we introduce a few 
miscellaneous articles, in this place. 

1630. Aug. 23. Ordered that carpenters, joiners, brick- 
layers, sawyers and thatchers take no more than two shillings 
a day under pain of ten shillings to giver and taker. — Orders 
similar to this were frequently made, regulating and altering 
the prices of labour and of commodities. Six years after^ it 
was left to towns to agree upon prices among themselves. 



* Mr. Colburn was chosen deacon alter the death of Dr. Gagcr, but is always called by hi«. 
title of Mr. which in those days was used as the term Esquire is at present. Church mem- 
ber were invariably distingiM'hed «« ''^iiy Hr^th'^v' «r • nrtv ';t-h»^-.' OnTuJimn and Homlwil*: 
•^ypvo. oommoii appellarf'iTr^. 



40 HISTORY OF BOSTOiV, 

Oct. 25. The Governour began to discourage the practice 
of drinking toasts at table : so it grew by little and little to be 
disused. 

The Ambrose was new masted at Charlcstown. 
Messrs. Winthrop and Dudley joined with S. Maverick in 
sending out a ptinnacc to trade for corn. She went as far as 
Rhode Island and procured a hundred bushels. 

Nov. 9. Proposals arc issued to have a ferry set up be- 
tween Boston and Charlcstown. 

30. One man is to be whipped for stealing a loaf of bread 
and another for shooting a fowl on the sabbath day. 

1631. March 4. Nicholas Knopp was fined live pounds 
for taking upon him to cure the scurvy by a water of no 
value, which he sold at a very dear rate ; to be imprisoned 
till he pay his fine, or give security for it, or else be whipped, 
and be liable to any man's action, of whom he had received 
money for the said water. 

22. All who have cards, dice or gaming tables in their 
houses shall make way with them before the next court. 

May 18. Election day at Boston ; Winthrop and Dudley 
are rechosen by general consent. 

AViliiam Cheeseborough's house burnt at Boston, all the 
people being present. 

Thomas VViliiams undertakes to set up the first ferry: has 
four pence a person from Winncsimct to Boston. 

.June 14. Edward Convcrs sets up another ferry. 

July 4. The Governour built a bark at IMystick, which was 
launched this day, and called the Blessing of the Ba3% In 
the course of the season this vessel made several coasting 
trips. 

2G. A night watch of six persons is established at Boston. 
Charlcstown and Roxbury were to furnish two men each, and 
Boston the other two. 

Monthly trainings are ordered. 

Aug. IC. Four men lined for drinking too much. 

Sept. 27. Mr. Josias is fined for stealing from the In- 
dians and condemned to forfeit his title and henceforth to be 
called Josias. 

Oct. 25. Gov. AVinthrop notes 'a plentiful crop."* 

30. A stone house which the Governour was erecting at 
Mystick was washed down to the ground, in a violent storm, 
the walls being laid in clav instead of lime. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX, 41 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Some are, and must be, greater than the rest. 

Pope. 

On the second of November, 1631, the Lion arrived again 
from England, and brought the Governour's wife and some of 
his children, together with the Rev. John Eliot and about 
sixty others. This event afforded the Bostonians an oppor- 
tunity to exhibit their attachment to Mr. VVinthrop by one 
of those publick demonstrations, in which they have always 
delighted; The vessel was detained below the town two 
days, and in that lime preparation was made for the recep- 
tion of the honourable passengers. When the Governour and 
his family left the ship, the Captain gave them a salute of six 
or seven guns, and at the landing, the military officers re- 
ceived them with a guard, and welcomed them with divers 
volleys of shot and three artillery pieces. Several of the as- 
sistants and most of the people of the neighbourhood assem- 
bled to witness the scene and to enhance the joyfulness of 
the occasion, marvellous store of kids, venison, poultry, geese 
and partridges, and other luxuries were brought and sent as 
presents. The like manifestation of love had never been 
seen in New England. It is hardly necessary to add that 
on the nth of November they kept a day of thanksgiving at 
Boston. 

The succeeding winter passed away without an}^ material 
occurrences. At the General Court, in Boston, on the 8th of 
May, 1632, the same Governour and Deputy were elected, 
and it was then thought expedient to pass an order that two 
men should be chosen from each town, to confer with the 
Court of Assistants about raising a publick stock. This or- 
der was the first step towards a house of representatives.* 



* More of form was given to this branch of the government in AprU 1634, when it was 
determined, that the freemen of each plantation should choose two or three before every 
general court, and that such persons so deputed should have full power to deal in all the 
affairs of the commonwealth, wherein the freemen have to do, excepting only the election of 
magistrates, at which every man was still to give his own voice. In 163Gthe number of rep- 
resentatives was apportioned according to the number cf inhabitants, no town to have more 
than three, and persons might send their written votes, endorsed by the uani'i of the voter, 
■Jnstead of attending in person at the court on Election day. 

6 



42 UISTOUY OF BOSTON'. 

The delegates were at that time called deputies or committees, 
and Messrs. William Colburn and William Chceseborough 
had the honour to be the first from Boston. 

Mr. \Vilson returned from London, bringing his wife with 
him, on the 26th of May, and the congregation began in Au- 
gust to build a house for publick worship, and one for the 
residence of their pastor. Towards these purposes they 
made a voluntary contribution of a hundred and twenty 
pounds. The meeting house was erected on the south side of 
State Street, opposite the new building now erecting at the head 
of Wilson's lane, for the accommodation of the United States' 
Branch Bank. Its roof was thatched and its walls were of mud. 
It would be pleasant to be able to point to the very ground 
whereon this first temple stood. Mr. Emerson, it» his histori- 
cal sketch of the church, fixes it not far from the spot on which 
the Exchange Coflce House had been newly reared. But 
our search for that edifice is equally unavailing: literally', not 
one stone of that enormous structure is left upon another. 
A writer in seventeen hundred ninety-five says it was on 
the ground on which the Branch bank then stood : we trust it 
will never be so dilTicult to direct the future incjuirer to the 
new oflice of the present Brancli.* 

As the season grew late and the weather severe, those 
members of the church who belonged to Charlestown, found 
it inconvenient to attend worship in Boston. They therefore 
signified their desire to constitute a new society on the other 
side of the river. The eleventh of October was set apart for 
seeking the direction of Heaven, and on the fourteenth, eigh- 
teen men and fifteen women were peaceably dismissed from 
their relation to the church. I'hesc afterwards elected Mr. 
Thomas James for their teacher, and formed the first congre- 
gational church in Charlestown. 

Up to that period one hundred and fifty one members, of 
whom one hundred and thirty were brethren, had joined the 
Boston church in full comiimnion. In those days they had a 
distinction of ofiices in the church which docs not prevail 
among us. Mr. Wilson was at first ordained as teacher, and 
on the 22d of November he was chosen pastor. Mr. 
Thomas Oliver was also chosen ruling elder. They were 
both ordained in form; the two deacons first imposing hands 
ujion the elder, and then the elder and two deacons upon the 
pastor. The church made considerable efibrt to retain Mr. 
Eliot with them in the capacity of teacher, but were disap- 
pointed by his fixed resolution to settle at Roxbury. 

Boston was now gradually assuming preeminence over the 
other towns. The court had resolved by general consent, in 

* The PurcliMler people had built u mcoiin^' house prior to Alurch 1632. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOK. 4S 

October, that it was the fittest place for publick meetings of 
any in the bay, and ordered a house of correction to be built 
here, and also a house for the beadle, which was a corpora- 
tion officer, something similar to a sheriff. Considerable 
progress had been made towards the fortification of the 
town, by works on Fort Hill, which was then called Corn 
Hill, and the people had increased so rapidly that the land 
within the peninsula was not sufficient for their use. The 
right of improving several places, in the neighbourhood, for 
their cattle and the procuring of wood, had therefore been 
granted them. Another ferry had also become necessary be- 
tween this and Charlcstown, and the wind mill had been 
brought from Watertown. The latter was a source of profit. 
It would seem that Dudley did not witness this advance of 
Boston with perfect satisfaction. According to the agreement 
before mentioned, he with Mr. Secretary Bradstrcet and oth- 
er gentlemen of note, went forward in the spring of sixteen 
hundred thirty-one, with their design to build at Newtown. The 
Deputy finished his house in a style which the Governour 
thought too expensive and showy, both on account of the hard- 
ness of the times, and of the example, which might lead others 
to undue extravagance. A w^ainscoting of clapboards con- 
stituted this offensive peculiarity. The Governour himself 
had also set up a house at Newtown, but in the course of the 
fall he had it taken down and removed to Boston, where he 
had resolved in future to reside. This step was no small dis- 
appointment to the rest, and occasioned some ill will between 
the Governour and Deputy. The latter accused the former 
of a breach of his promise to build at Newtown. The dis- 
content became so great that their mutual friends advised 
them to submit the subject to the opinion of several ministers. 
The Governour's answer to the accusation against him was, 
that he had fulfilled the words of his promise, having had a 
house up, and servants living in it by the day appointed. 
As to the removal of the house, he alleged that he perceived 
the other assistants did not go forward in building: and more- 
over, the people of Boston having been discouraged by the 
Deputy from removing to Newtown, had petitioned him, under 
all their hands, not to leave them, according to the promise 
he had made to them, when they first sat down with him at 
Boston. On these and similar explanations, the referees 
agreed that the Governour's conduct was in some degree ex- 
cusable, and he acknowledged himself faulty, so far as hey 
declared him to be so. They awarded that he should pay 
the Deputy twenty pounds towards his expenses in building, 
or else provide a minister for the people at Newtown, and 
contribute something towards his maintenance for a time. The 
Governour wisely chose to do the former, and remitted the 



44 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

money. The Deputy was not behind him in complaisance, 
and returned the same with assurances that he was so well 
satisfied of the Govcrnour's good will, that he should not have 
been tempted to accept it, if it had been a hundred pounds 
instead of twenty. Thus this difficulty terminated, and they 
afterwards kept peace and friendly correspondency together. 

Fac simile of the Governour aud Dei)ut}'s Signatures. 



I W/ 





:$^^h/^ 



^ 



WOOD S DESCRIPTION. 



The rising importance of the Massachusetts colony early 
attracted the attention of travellers as well as of statesmen, and 
perhaps the fair report of some of the former may have had as 
n)uch influence in awakening the jealousy of the latter, as the 
misrepresentations of some disatfected persons arc supposed to 
have had. AVilliam AVood, the author of New I'ingland's 
Pros[)ect, has furnished us with the result of his observations 
in and about Boston in the year 1633. His descriptions are 
so accurate that they could hardly be amended, and the facts 
noticed by him are mostly corroborated by other accounts. 
They arc therefore peculiarly entitled to a place here. 

' First J will begin with the outmost plantation in the patent, 
to the southward, which is called W'ichaguscusset [^Vey- 
ri'outh.] This is but a small village, yet is well timbered and 
hath good store of hay ground. — Three miles to the north of 
this is Mount AVolaston, a very fertile soil, and a place very 
convenient for farmers' houses, there being great store of 
plain ground, without trees. — Six n)iles further to the north 
lioth Dorchester, which is th.e greatest town in New iMigland, 
"well wooded and watered, very good arable and hay grounds. 
'I'h^ inhabitants of this town were the first that set u})on the 
trade of li>hing in the bay. — A mile from this town lieth Rox- 
bury \*hich is a fair and handsome country town; the inhab- 
itants of it being all very rich : a clear and fresh brook runs 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 45 

through the town, and a quarter of a mile to the north is a 
small river called Stony River, upon which is built a water 
mill. Up westward it is something rocky, whence it hath the 
name of Roxbury. Here is no harbour for ships, because 
the town is seated in the bottom of a shallow bay, which is 
made by the neck of land on which Boston is built, so that 
they can transport all their goods from the ships in boats 
from Boston, which is the nearest harbour. 

' This harbour is made by a great company of islands, 
whose high clifi's shoulder out the boisterous seas ; yet may ea- 
sily deceive any unskilful pilot ; presenting many fair openings 
and broad sounds, which atlbvd too shallow water for ships, 
though navigable for boats, and pinnaces. It is a safe and 
pleasant harbour within, having but one common and safe en- 
trance, and that not very broad ; there scarce being room for 
three ships to come in board and board at a time ; but being 
once in, there is room for the anchorage of 500 ships. The 
seamen having spent their old store of wood and water, may 
here have fresh supplies from the adjacent islands, with good 
timber to repair their weather beaten ships. 

' Boston is two miles N. E. of Roxbury. Its situation is 
very pleasant, being a peninsula hemmed in on the south 
side by the bay of Roxbury, and on the north side, with 
Charles river, the marshes on the back-side, being not half a 
cjuarter of a mile over ; so that a little fencing will secure 
their cattle from the wolves. The greatest wants are wood 
and meadow ground, which never were in this place ;* being 
constrained to fetch their building timber, and tire wood from 
the islands in boats, and their hay in loyters 5 it being a 
neck, and bare of wood, they are not troubled with these 
great annoyances, wolves, I'attlesnakes and muspuetos. 
Those, that live here upon their cattle, must be constrained to 
take farms in the country, or else they cannot subsist ; the 
place being too small to contain many, and fittest for such as 
can trade into England, for such commodities as the country 
wants, being the chief place for shipping and merchandize. 

' This neck of land is not above four miles in compass, in 
form almost square, having on the south side, at one corner, 



* Mr. Wood was wrong in asserting tliat ' wood was never in this place.'' It had doubtless 
been the favourite residence of tlie natives for many years, and a considerable portion had 
been cleared by burning, as was their custom for the culture of corn ; hence it was sometimes 
called the phda neck, and compared with the surrounding country, covered with intermina- 
ble forests, it might, with propriety be called plain. There were, however, many large 
clumps left, sufficient for fuel and timber. The growth was'probably similar to that of the 
islands. Had the peninsula been wholly denuded of trees, even the temptation of Mr. Black- 
stone's spring of fresh water, could not have induced the first planters to settle at ShawmuJ 
fm the approach of a rigorous winter. — 5Aaw. 



46 



HISTORY OF KOSTON. 



a great broad hill, whereon is planted a fort, which can com- 
mand any ship, as she sails into the harbour within the still 
bay. On the north side is another hill, equal in bigness, 
whereon stands a windmill. To the northwest is a high 
mountain, with three little rising hills on the top of it, where- 
fore it is called 

THE TRAMOUNT. 



yf^.'I'^Sijk, 




'From the top of this mountain, a man may overlook all the 
islands which lie within the bay, and descry such ships as 
are on the sea coast. 

' This town although it be neither the greatest nor the rich- 
est, yet is the most noted and frequented, being the centre of 
the plantations, where the monthly coui'ts arc kept. Here 
likewise dwells the Governour. This place hath very good 
land atibrding rich corn-fields and fruitful gardens, having 
likewise sweet and pleasant springs. The inhabitants of this 
place, for their enlargement, have taken to themselves farm 
houses in a place called Muddy River, [Brooklirie] two miles 
from the town, where there is good ground, large tim- 
ber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place 
they keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst 
the corn is in the ground at Boston, and bring them to town 
in the winter. 

' Newtown [Cambridge] is one of the neatest and best com- 
pacted towns in New England, having many fair structures, 
with inany handsome contrived streets : the inhabitants most 
of them arc very rich. — Haifa mile westward of this is \\'a- 
tertown, a place nothing inferior for land, wood, meadows 
and water to Newtown. Within half a mile of this town is a 
great pond which is divided between the two towns, and di- 
vides their l)onnds to the northward. Both towns are on the 
north side of the river Charles. 

' On the same side of that river is Charlestown, which is 
another neck of land, on whose north side runs IMystick river. 
At this town there is kept a ferry boat to convey passengers 
over Charles river, which between the banks is a quarter of a 
mile over, being a very dce[) channel. Up higher is a broad 



> 







HISTORY OF BOSTON'. 47 

bay, being above two miles between the shores, into which 
run Stony river and Muddy river. Towards the southwest in 
the midst of this bay is a great oyster bank : towards the 
northeast is a great creek, upon whose shore is situated a 
small village [included within the bounds of Charlestown.] 
At the bottom of this bay, the river begins to be narrower, 
being but half a quarter of a mile broad. 

' The next town is IVIystick [Mcdford] which is three miles 
from Charlestown by land, and a league and a half by water. 
It is seated by the water side very pleasantly ; there are not 
many houses as yet. On the west side of this river the Gov- 
ernour hath a farm, where he keeps most of his cattle. On 
the east side is Mr. Craddock's plantation, where he hath a 
park impaled and keeps his cattle, till he can store it with 
deer. Here likewise he is at charges of building ships. The 
last year one was upon the stocks of an hundi'ed tons ; that 
being finished they are to build one of twice her burden. 

' The last town in the still bay is Winnesimet [Chelsea,] a 
very sweet place for situation : it is within a mile of Charles- 
town, the river only parting them. 

' The next plantation is Saugus [including Lynn] six miles 
northeast from Winnesimet. This town is pleasant fbr situa- 
tion, seated at the bottom of a bay, which is made on one side 
with the surrounding shore, and on the other side with a long 
sandy beach, which is two miles long to the end, whereon is 
a neck of land called Nahant. Upon the south side of the 
sandy beach the sea beateth, which is a true prognostication, 
to presage storms and foul weather, and the breaking up of 
the frost: for when a storm hath been or is likely to be, it 
will roar like thunder, so as to be heard six miles. Upon the 
north side of this bay are two great marshes which are made 
two by a pleasant river which runs between them. At the 
mouth of this river runs up a great creek into that great marsh 
which is called Romney Marsh, and is four miles long and 
two miles broad, half of it being marsh ground, and half up- 
land grass without tree or bush.' 

These descriptions were sketched before the fifteenth of 
August, 1633, on which day Wood set sail for England, and 
were published the next year accompanied with a curious 
map, engraved on wnorl. 



48 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER IX. 

" Lands you may liavc, we value not the soil. 
Accounting tillage too severe a toil." 

WiiiLK llic people of Boston depended in good measure 
upon the j)roductions of tlicir farms and gat-dens for subsist- 
ence, tiieir wants could not be supplied from the land within 
the peninsula, w^hich did not originally exceed seven hundred 
acres. They were therefore allowed to extend themselves 
into various parts of the adjacent territory, and many of the 
places described in the extract wc have just finished, were 
under the improvement of Bostonians. Conant's Island 
[Govcrnours I.] was granted to Gov. AVinthrop for a nominal 
rent, and thus became a part of Boston, in April sixteen 
hundred and thirty-two. In the same year, that part of Chel- 
sea between Powder-horn hill and Pull-in point was assigned 
to Boston forever, and not a long time after, the whole of Win- 
nesimct was annexed. Brookline or Muddy river was owned 
and occupied by persons considered as belonging to Boston. 
As early as April 1634, Long Island, Hog and Deer Islands, 
were granted to Boston by the court for a nominal yearly 
rent, ai.d convenient enlargement at Mount VVolaston was al- 
lowed to her inhabitants. 'J'hcy were allowed to cut wood 
on Dorchester neck, but the jurisdiction was to remain with 
Dorchester. Romney Marsh, Spectacle Island, and Noddle's 
Island were added before the end of sixteen hundred and 
thirty-six. These grants are recorded in the colony records, 
and it is probable the remaining Islands were occasionally 
annexed afterwards. At these several places, portions were 
allotted to every family in Boston according to their number 
and necessities. 

The cjuestion has been asked, fnf xvhdt r/i'/i/ did our ances- 
tors take and retain possession of the lands we inherit? The 
answer is as complete and satisfactory as such a case admits. 
So far as the Kinfj of England's title was concerned, the grant 
of the council of Plymouth to the six genUemen and their asso- 
ciates, and the subse(|uent confirmation of the King, which 
(•mpowercil (hem and others to disjiose of the lands to the 
Lest advantage, were considered sullicient to cancel his claim 
to properly in the ^oil. 

The Indians that funnerly possessed these parts werefewin 
number when our faihers arrived. A j'estilencc had not long 



HISTORY OF BOSTON'. 49 

before carried off whole tribes in a manner almost in- 
credible. Of such as remained near Boston, the greater part 
were peaceably disposed, and Chicatabot, the reigning sa- 
chem, instead of repelnng the settlers from his dominions by 
force of arms, administered to their comfort, and finallj sold 
them this speck of his extensive territory for a valuable con- 
sideration. The evidence of the conveyance is found in a quit- 
claim deed of one of his grandsons : it is a very curious docu- 
ment, dated in March sixteen hundred eighty-five,* and we 
insert it for the satisfaction or amusement of the present 
inhabitants. At this distance of time, to be sure, there is no 
danger of disturbance from the descendants of Chicatabot ; 
still the peaceable and upright manner, in which our ancestors 
obtained a title to the soil, is not to be forgotten. 

To understand the occasion of this and similar instruments 
drawn about the same period, it is necessary to anticipate the 
fact that the charter, or patent under which the Massachusetts 
colony held, was likely then to be vacated*, and the people 
were told that in that case their title to their estates would be 
of no value. Besides, even if the vacating of the charter 
might not annihilate (he rights acquired under it in legal form, 
it was said that the General Court had not made their grants 
of land under the seal of the colony. This was represented 
as a glaring defect, which possession and improvement could 
not supply. When the patent was annulled (of which official 
information was received July 2, 1685) and a new govern- 
ment established, writs of intrusion were brought against some 
of the principal persons in the colon3% and the landholders 
were obliged to acknowledge the insufficiency of their title, 
and pay the fees for a new deed. Randolph, a notable char- 
acter, petitioned for half an acre of land, to be taken out of 
the common in Boston, and other favourites looked with a 
longing eye on some of the best estates, especially where the 
property was in a town or company : hence it was important 
to have in readiness every possible proof to evidence the 
rightful possession of the occupants.! 



* See a copy of this Indian Quitclaim in Appendix No. I. 

I See Hutch. Hist. i. cli. iii. There was no registry of upf-ds h^e heforo 16-52, 



I 



60 HISTORY or BOSTON. 



CHAPTER X. 

A gentleman that is very singular in his behaviour, 

but his singularities proceed from his good sense. — Sptctutor. 

There was another claim beside that of the Indians and 
the king of England, which the settlers at Boston were bound 
to satisty. By riiiht of previous possession, Mr. Blackstone 
had a title to proprictorsiiip in the whole peninsula. It was 
in fact for a time called Blackstone's neck. How far he con- 
sidered himself the owner of the soil, and what agreement he 
made with Mr. Johnson when he invited him to cross the river, 
does not now appear. The records of the colony inform us 
that in April 1633, the court ordered fifty acres of ground to 
be set out for him, near to his house in Boston, to belong to 
him forever. This quantity amounted to at least a fourteenth 
part of the whole place, which shows that his rights as orig- 
inal possessor were not regarded altogether null. On the 
Boston records under date of November 10, 1634, among 
other taxes assigned toAVilliam Cheescborough the constable, 
and others for assessment and collection, wc find a rate of 
thirty pounds to Mr. Blackstone : for what purpose it was 
levied will appear from the following 

DEPOSITION. 

The deposition of John Odlin, aged about Eighty two 
yeares, Robert Walker aged about Seventy Eight yeares, 
Francis Hudson aged about Sixty eight yeares, and Wil- 
liam Lytherland aged about Seventy Six yeares. These 
Deponents, being ancient dwellers and Inhabitants of the 
Town of Boston in New-England from the first planting and 
Setling thereof and continuing so at this day, do jointly 
testify and depose that in or about the yeare of our Lord 
One thousand Six hundi-ed thirty and four the then present 
Inhabitants of said 'i'own of Boston (of whonie the Honour- 
able John Winthrop Est|. Governour of the Colony was 
chiefe) did treate and agree with Mr. AVilliam Blackstone 
for the pui'chase of his Estate and right in any Lands lying 
within the said neck of Land called Boston, and for said 
))urchase agreed that every householder should pay Six 
Shillings, which was accoiiliiigly collecled, none })aying 
less, some considerably more than Six Shillings, and the 
said sume collected, was delivered and paid to Mr. Black- 
stone to his full content and Satisfaction, in consideration 



UI3T0RY OF BOSTON, 61 

wliereof hee Sold unto the then Inhabitants of said Town 
and their heirs and assigns for ever his whole right and 
interest in all and every of the Lands lying within the said 
Neck Reserveing onely unto him selfe about Six acres of 
Land on the point commonly called Blackstons point on 
part whereof his then dwelling house stood ; after which 
purchase the Town laid out a place for a trayning field ; 
which ever since and now is used for that purpose, and for 
the feeding of cattell : Robert Walker, and William 
Lytherland farther Testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a 
stock of Cows with the Money he received as above, and 
Removed and dwelt near Providence where he liv'd till the 
day of his Death. 

Deposed this 10th of June 1684, by John Odlin, Robert 
Walker, Francis Hudson, and William Lytherland 
according to their respective Testimonye 
Before us 

S. JJratrstrrrt, Oovemour. 

Sam. Sciuall, Assist. 

Precisely at what time Mr. Blackstone ceased to be an in- 
habitant of Boston we are not informed. His name appears 
once more in the colony records under date of April 7, 1635, 
when Nahanton was ordered to pay him two skins of beaver 
for damages done his swine by setting of traps. An allotment 
of fifteen acres at Muddy river was made to him by the allot- 
ters of Boston, in January 1638, and on the ninth of March in 
the same year, his name is mentioned for the last time, in des- 
cribing the boundaries of certain lots of lands. It is stated by 
one author* that he left Boston about that time, which cor- 
responds with the statement of another! that he lived in Bos- 
ton nine or ten years. 

Mr. Blackstone was a very eccenlrick character. He was 
a man of learning, and had received episcopal ordination in 
England ; seems to have been of the puritan persuasion and 
to have left his native country for his nonconformity. Johnson 
says he was here before the vernal of twenty-nine, which 
makes him to have come over with Mr. Endicott. Hubbard 
adopts the authority and tells us he began to hew stones in 
the mountains, wherewith to build, but when he saw all sorts 
of stones would not suit in the building, as he supposed, he 
betook himself to till the ground, wherein probably he was 
more skilled, or at least had a better faculty ; retaining no 
symbol of his former profession but his canonical coat. 
Mather is less rude, and allows him to have been a godly 



Bachis Vol. i. 58. 

Lechforit. who wrote his ' Plain Dealing ' in 1641. Hutch. I. ch. i.v. 



52 mSTOKY OF BOSTON. 

episcopalian, though he was of a particular humour, and 
would never join himself to any of our churches, giving this 
reason for it : / came from England, because I did not like the 
LORD-BISHOPS ; but 1 caunot join with you., because I would not be 
under the lord-brethren.* 

He had been admitted to take the freeman's oath in 
May, 1G31, before the order was passed, which restricted 
that privilege to church members only. He cultivated with 
success the six acres which he retained, and soon had a gar- 
den plot and an orchard, near his cottage and spring. These 
we take to have been situated in the neighbourhood of the 
present Alms Flouse. The point, at which Cragie's bridge 
commences, is called, on the ancient plans of the town, 
Barton's point, and is the same referred to in the foregoing 
deposition. 

It was not very long before Mr. Blackstone found that there 
might be more than one kind of nonconformity, and was virtu- 
ally obliged to leave the remainder of his estate here, and re- 
move a second time into the wilderness. We have no thought 
that ' he was driven from Boston because he w as an episcopal 
minister,' but a man may be very ill at ease in many a place 
where he may be allowed to stay by sufl'erance. Let the 
cause of his removal have been what it may, certain it is that 
he went and settled by the Pawtucket river, ' built a house 
and cultivated part of the land now comprising the Whipple 
farm in Cumberland,' Rhode Island. 

The })lace to which he removed, the ' Attleborough Gore' 
of history, fell within the lin)its of Plymouth colony, in the 
records of which colony we find still iai'ther men)oirs of this 
respectable and memorable man. His name, however, does 
not occur in those records until the year 1661, when mention 
is made of a place ' called by the natives Wawcepoonseag, 
where one Blackstone now livcth.' This was probably the 
aboriginal name of a rivulet, at present known as Alibot's 
Run, which is trilsulary to (he Pawtucket. At this his new 
plantation he lived unintenupled for many years, and thci-e 
raised an orchard, the (irst that ever bore apples in Rhode 
Island. He had the first of the sort called yellow sweetings, 
that were ever in the world, and is said to have planted the 
first orchard in Massachusetts also. 

Mr. Blackstone's house was situated near the banks of the 
river, on a knoll which he named Study Hill. It was sur- 
rounded by a park, which was his favourite and daily walk 
for a scries of years. Though he was far from agreeing in 
opinion with Roger Williams, he used frequently to go to 
Providence to preach the gospel; and to encourage his 
younger hearers, while he gratified his own benevolent dispo- 

• Uvibard U.K. p. 113. Jvknton W. W. P. cb. U. Uagnalin i. 221. 



HISTORY OF B0STO]V. 58 

sition, he would give them of his apples, which were the first 
they ever saw. It is said that when he grew old and unable 
to travel on foot, not having any horse, he used to ride on a 
bull, which he had tamed and tutored to that use. He died 
May 26, 1675, and lies buried on classick ground, on Study 
Hill, where a flat stone marks his grave. 

Concerning Mr. Blackstone's family we infer that it con- 
sisted of but three persons while he continued in Boston : he 
having had a portion for three heads allotted to him at Muddy 
River. His wife, whose name was Sarah, died about two 
years before him. He left a son named John, for whom 
guardians were appointed in 1675, and a daughter who was 
married to Mr. John Stevenson. 

The death of this venerable pilgrim happened at a critical 
period, the beginning of an Indian war. His estate was des- 
olated, and his house burnt by the natives. His library 
which contained a hundred and eighty-six volumes, from folios 
to pamphlets, shared the same fate. His family is now ex- 
tinct : but we hope and trust the musing stranger will hereaf- 
ter find his name on some marble tablet of historical inscrip- 
tions erected by the munificent hand of some Bostonian.* 



CHAPTER XL 

For empire formed, and fit to rule the vest. 

Dnjdtn. 

The long desired arrival of Mr. Cotton took place on the 
fourth of September, 1633. He came in the Griffin, a ship 
of three hundred tons, which brought about two hundred 
other passengers. His celebrity whic:h was great in England, 
had already filled the American settlements, and prepared 
him a most welcome reception. His talents were considered 
common property, and it was the immediate concern of the 
wise and good, where he should fix his residence and how 
receive an honourable support. He might have selected any 
situation in the country, and was indeed urged to accept seve- 
ral invitations other than what he received in Boston, but he 
was somewhat compelled by the advice of the Governour and 
a council of the ciders in the colony, as well as the unanimous 
voice of the First Church here to bestow his principal labours. 
It was at first proposed that Mr. Cotton should be maintained 
from the treasury, in consideration of the political as well as 
ecclesiastical benefits, that were expected from his ministry ; 

* Mas?, n. C. 2. ix. 174. x. 170. 



54 HISTORY or BOSTON. 



but the maturer judgment of a majoritj of the council quash- 
ed the proposal. 

Mr. Cotton was ordained teacher of theFii'st Churchon the 
tenth of October ; and on the same day i^lr. Thomas Leverett 
was chosen a ruiins; elder, and Mr. (Jiles Firmin, sen. a godly 
apothecary fi-om .Sudhury in Fingland was chosen deacon.* 
In addition to the imposition of the hands of the ciders, as in 
the case of Mr. Wilson, the ceremony of calling on the people 
to signify their election of the candidiUe, and on him to ac- 
knowledge his acceptance of their call, and also the presenta- 
tion of the right hand of fellowship by the neighbouring min- 
isters, was introduced Oil this occasion. Immediately upon 
his induction, Mr. Cotton entered upon the duties of his oflice ; 
and so great was his influence both in ecclesiastical and civil 
affairs, that the measures he recommended were forthwith 
adopted in the church, and his private j)olitical counsels were 
with equal readiness enforced by the government.! 

Considerable trading had already been carried on at Bos- 
ton, but thei-e appears not to have been any regular system 
introduced, until March, 1G34. In Gov. \Vinthrop's journal 
for that month, it is stated that by order of court a market 
was erected at Boston to be kept upon Thursday the fifth day 
of the week, being lecture day.j Samuel Cole set up the first 
house of entertainment, and John Cogan, merchant, the first 
shop. In .luly of the preceding year, a proposition had been 
made by the Plymouth peo]jlc, to have the Bostoiiians join 
with them in trading to Connecticut, but they thought fit not 
to meddle with it. 

The General Court this year held their session in Mr. Cot- 
ton's meeting house. It fell to his lot to preach the Election 
sermon, and he improved the occasion to deliver this doctrine, 
that a magistrate ought not to be turned into the condition of 
a private man, without just caus(! and on publick conviction, 
any more than a magistrate may turn a private man out of his 
freehold without publick trial. His sermon, however, did not 
have the eiTcci he probably intended ; for the freemen pro- 
ceeding forthwith to vote for a Governour and Deputy, Mr. 
"Winlhrop was left out. Mr. Dudle}' chosen in his place, and 
Mr. Koger Ludlow elected Deputy. A conseciuence of this 
change was that Newtown became the scat of government for 
the year ensuing. 



* This Mr. Kinniirs son (iilcs |>riirtise(] i>lijsick at Ipswicli and iificrwards rctiinicd to 
EnglnnU. 

1 Eiitrnan't Hi^^. First flmrrli. 

} This is the earliest ixitici- of the Tlnu'iidav li-iliiri-s in tin- Journal, Imt an order of court, 
passed ill Octuber ICJJ, ri>e;tilnliii(,' the hours ul which lirlurcs should be held (1. P. M.^ 
•hows that tbev had been earlier «M«blished. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 55 

In the course of the fall, a little aftair occurred which serves 
to show us somewhat of the spirit of the times. Some of the 
people had been abused and insulted on board a vessel in the 
harbour, and it was thought best not to suffer the insult to 
pass unnoticed. The power of the government and the ad- 
vice of the ministers was put in requisition, and the supercar- 
go of the ship being on shore was sun)marily seized, and 
committed to custody till he gave bail that the offender should 
be forthcoming. Upon examination, not much could be made 
of the matter, and the bail was discharged with advice to the 
master not to bring any such disorderly persons this way 
again. 

It will hardly be credited, yet it is true that so early as the 
period of which we are treating, Mr. Cotton found it necessary 
to exert his influence to suppress superfluous and unnecessarily 
expensive fashions. The court in September of this year 
made a law, that tobacco should not be taken in company, or 
before strangers, and condemned to disuse a great variety of 
articles of dress. Gold or silver laces, girdles, or hat-bands, 
embroidered caps, immoderate great veils and immoderate 
great sleeves incurred special disapprobation. Such things 
were all subject to forfeiture, with an exception that some of 
the articles already in use might be worn out. But a sermon 
of Mr. Cotton's at Salem had as powerful an effect as the fear 
of the law. He taught the women there, that they had no 
occasion to wear the veil, in compliance with any scriptural 
direction, and they were so enlightened and convinced by his 
discourse, that every woman in the afternoon appeared without 
her veil, and ever after considered it a shame to wear one. 
Mr.Cotton had before urged the same doctrine at Boston ; we 
may safely add, with like success.* 

We have now reached the date of the oldest volume of the 
town records, that remains extant. The first page comment 
ces with the doings of the first day of the seventh month,! 
1634. This entry, and those made for a short time after, 
appear in the handwriting of Gov. Winthrop ; a circumstance 
which makes us regret the more, that the records of the four 
first years should have been lost. We arc thus left without 
direct information of the course pursued in regard to the di- 
vision of land among the settlers, and of other steps they 
must have taken to bring their affairs into so good order as 
we find them in, at this period. 

It is apparent from this first record that the manage- 
ment of the atTairs of the town had been committed to a select 
body of men. The number at this period was ten, as ap- 
pears from the following extract : 

* Winthrop, March 4, 1634. Hubbatii, N. E. 205. 

I Equivalent to September; March being considered the Jivi-t mondi. 



56 HISTOllV or BOSTON. 

'Month 3th, day Gth. At a general meeting upon publick 
notice given the fifth day of the last week it was ordered and 
agreed as follows : 

' Imprimis. Richard Bellingham, Esquire, and J. Cogan, 
merchant, were chosen in the place of Giles Firmin [senior] 
deceased, to make up the number 10, to manage the atFairs of 
the town.' 

The persons thus chosen are not distinguished by the ap- 
pellation of Selectmex, till the year sixteen hundred and forty 
live: they were sometimes called Townsmen. Dorchester 
chose such a body in 1633, for the first time: it is probable 
th'it the measure had been previously adopted in Boston : 
Charlesiown did not choose them till 1G34. The courts of the 
colony had made no provision for any such form of town gov- 
ernment. It is not till May 3d. 1636, that we find an order 
to the following effect : — The freemen of every town are em- 
powered to dispose of lands, grant lots and make such orders 
as may concern the well ordering of their town, not repugnant 
to laws of court or kingdom; also to lay fines not exceeding 
twenty shillings, appoint oflicers, constables and surveyors. — 
It is clear that the town of Boston exercised all this authority 
long before the passing of this order. The course had proba- 
bly been adopted by common consent, and some event may 
have occurred, which rendered it necessary to give the sanc- 
tion of court to the procedure. 

The names of the first board of Selectmen on record are 
John Winihrop Giles Firmin [sen.] 

William Coddington John Coggeshall 

Capt. [John] Underbill William Pierce 

Thomas Oliver Robert Harding 

Thomas Leverett ^\ illiam Brenton. 

It was customary for the inhabitants to meet to transact 
business relative to the police of the town inimcdiatelj' after 
the Thursday lecture. On tiie 1 1 th of December they met to 
choose seven men who should divide the town lands among 
them. They chose by })allot and elected all ' of tlie inferior 
sort' except one of the elders and a deacon. This was done 
through fear that the richer gentlemen would not give the 
])oorer class so large a proportion of the land as they thought 
■should l)e allotted to them, but would rather leave a greater 
part at liberty for new comers and for Common, which Gov. 
Winthrop had ofien persuaded them was best for the town. 
Mr. Cotton and others were otlcnded at this proceeding- 
Mr. Winthrop expressed his regret that Boston should be the 
first to shake oil' her magistrates ; whereupon, on motion of 
Mr. Cotton, \Nho showed them that it was scriptural to iiavc 
all such business coinmitled (o the elders, they all agreed to 
have a new election, vshich was deferred to the next lecture da v. 



HISTOKY OF BOSTON. 57 

The town records are silent as to the names of the firs'. 
* inferior sort :' those who were chosen at the second meet- 
ing, December 18th, 1634, were, 

Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Colburn, 

Mr. Coddington, Mr. Cotton, 

Mr. Ohver, and 

Mr. Bellingham, V^illiam Ba!ston. 

The jealousy, manifested by the people on this occasion, was 
natural, and the exhibition of their power may have been 
politick and prudent : their submission to the arguments of 
Mr. Cotton and Mr. Winthrop was reasonable, and evinces a 
character, of which their posterity may without vanity be 
proud. 



CHAPTER XII. 

The«e drew not for their fields the ?word 
Like tenants of a feudal lord. 

Scott. 

This committee was empowered ' to divide and dispose of 
all such lands, belonging to the town, as are not yet in the 
lawful possession of any particular person, according to the 
orders of the court, leaving such portions in common, for the 
use of new comers, and the further benefit of the town, as in 
their best discretion they shall think fit — the islands hired by 
the town to be also included in this order.' On the ninth of 
February following, ' it is agreed by general consent, that all 
the inhabitants shall plant only upon such ground as is al- 
ready broken up, or inclosed, in the neck,* or else upon the 
ground at Noddle's Island from l\Ir. Maverick's grant, and 
that every able man, Jit to plant, shall have allozced to him two 
acres to plant on, and every able youth one acre, to be allotted 
out by Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Cogan, Mr. Samj^ford, and Wil- 
liam Cheeseborough, and Mr. Brenton, or any three of them.' 
Neither of these, it will be perceived, were on the former 
committee : their duties were different, the one regarding 
chiefly the lands within the peninsula, the other having refer- 



'' Those who have occasion to search the early records of the town, should kuovr, that 
sometimes the whole peninsula was called the Neck ; sometimes that part only, which con- 
nects Boston with Rosbury ; and sometimes they will meet with the expression, a-itAin the 
jfeck, (and the two Necks, and the in-jiard Neck.) These distinctions aro'to be partirularlj 
observed in tracing the ori?inal titles of the allotments. — 5Aaa;, 



58 HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

cncc to the lands at Muddy river, Pullin point, and other pla- 
ces assigned to Boston peo})le for their improvement. 

What special care they took to preserve themselves a pe- 
culiar people, will appear from the record of the 30th No- 
vember, 1633. ' It is agreed, that no further allotments shall 
be granted unto any new comers, but such as may be likely 
to be received members of the congregation. — //em, that none 
shall sell their houses or allotments to any new comers, but 
with the consent and allowance of those that are appointed 
allolters. — //e?n, that all such as have allotments for habitation 
allotted unto them shall build thereon, before the first of the 
first month next, called March, or else it shall be in the power 
of the allotters to dispose of them.' Several instances occur- 
red in which these orders were faithfull}' executed : fines 
were inflicted on some who ventured to bargain for lands 
without permission, and sales were declared void. Those who 
failed to build were compelled to oiler satisfactory excuse.* 

Four days after the passing of the above order, it was 
further agreed ' that in regard of the unequal disposing of the 
planting ground heretofore, none shall be accounted to have 
any estate of inheritance in any ])lanting ground upon the 
neck save only in their house plots, gardens, and yards, until 
the town shall take order for a more equal disposing thereof 
by distribution. And on the 14ih of December, ten days 
after the last, it is agreed by general consent, that the poorer 
sort of inhabitants, such as are members, or likely so to be, 
afid have no cattle, shall have their proportion of allotments 
for planting ground and other assigned unto them by the al- 
lotters, and laid out at I\Iuddy river b}^ the aforenamed five 
persons, [viz. Messrs. Colburn, Aspinwall, Sampford, Balston, 
and Richard Wright] or four of them — those that fall between 
the foot of the hill and the water, to have but four acres upon 
a head, and those that arc farther otf to have five acres for 
ever}' head, the plot to begin next Muddy river side.' 

Conformably to the preceding orders a distribution was 
declared on the oih of January 1G38. The names of (he 
heads of families are recorded and the quantity of land allot- 
ted to each, with the boimdaries of the same. The number 
of families of the poorer sort' provided for, was eighty-six. 



* Town IlecorJs, June 6, 1G36. 'We find that Riclinrtt Fairbank hath sold unto two 
ttrangers the two houses in Sudbury end, that were Wm. BaUlon's, contrarj- to a former or- 
der, and therefore the sale to be wrong, nud the said R. F. to forfeit for his breaking tliereof 
five pounds. 

91arrh 30, 1611. Notice shall be given by the constables unio such as have not built upon 
their house low, wbirh have been set out to them above a year, that they come to the next 
iiierlingtu show cause why their lots should not be granted to others, according to the orig- 
inul graul ; and if they come not, that iIkh the town will dispose of Uieui. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 59 

and the number of heads 337. Besides these, allotments 
were assigned to thirty other families, such as Gov. Win- 
throp's, Mr. Wilson's, Mr. Cotton's, Mr. Robert Keayne's and 
other principal persons, some of whom had upwards of 300 
acres apiece. 

On the tenth of January 1642, it was found necessary to 
adopt the following vote. ' Notwithstanding the order made 
concerning the disposing of land in this neck, on the fourth of 
the tenth, sixteen hundred thirty-five, yet for peace sake and 
for avoiding of confusion in the town, many lands having 
been bought and sold at dear rates, the rights of all lands 
disposed of, shall belong to the present owners as they should 
have done, if the former order had never been, and the said 
former order is hereby repealed. Provided, that this order 
shall not concern such marsh ground as hath been let from 
year to year.' 

Under date of March 4th ensuing we find another record 
.on this subject, when it is ordered that the residue of the 
town's lands, not yet disposed of (excepting those that are 
laid out for con)mons at Boston, Braintree, and Muddy River) 
shall be divided amongst the present inhabitants, together 
with such as shall be admitted within two months now next 
following, and that in this manner, viz. a greater proportion 
to them that have had less than their due, and the less to 
them that have had more, and proportionally to them that 
have had none, and this is to be done by the Selectmen, 
chosen for the town's business. Finally on the 7th Sept. 
1645, we have this important entry 5 'whereas the several 
grants of house lots and other lands, recorded in this town 
book, are entered only as granted to the proprietors them- 
selves, without mention of their heirs, it has been thought fit 
to be hereby declared and ordered, that all such grants were 
and shall be intended to be estates in fee simple, with 
all due and usual privileges and appurtenances, and are to 
be so construed and taken, to all intents, except in such ca- 
ses wherein any particular estate for term of years is spe- 
cially expressed.' 

The foregoing citations present all our direct information 
of the course pursued, in regard to the division of land among 
the settlers at Boston. All the lands in the colony had be^ 
come the property of the company by their charter, and 
Hubbard informs us, that at a court in May 1629, it was 
agreed, that every adventurer who had advanced fifty pounds 
should have 200 acres of land allowed him ; and that 50 
acres apiece should be allowed those, that went over at their 
own charge. This may account for some of the great lots 
we have mentioned. In the settlement of Salem, at first, the 
smal]p«:t families were entitled to ten-acre lots, with a reserve 



60 IIISTURV 01; EOSTOA. 

of such common laiiJs for pasture, as might accommodate 
them, near their own houses.* Johnson, in his account of 
Woburn, gives us a more particular account of ' the manner 
how this people have populated their towns,' than we have 
discovered elsewhere. ' Ihis town, as all others,'' saith he, 
' had its bounds iixed by the General Court, to the contents 
of four miles square : the grant is to seven men of good and 
lioncst report, upon condition, that, within two years, the}'' 
erect houses thereon, and so go on to make a town thereof 
upon the Act of Court, 'i'hese seven men have power to 
give and grant out lands unto any persona, who are willing to 
take up their dwellings within the said precinct, and to be ad- 
mitted to all common privileges of the said town, giving iheni 
such an ample portion, both of meadow and upland, as their 
present and future stock of cattle and hands were like to im- 
prove, with e3^c liad lo others, that might after come to popu- 
late the said town. 'J'his they did without any respect of 
persons^ j'ct such as were exorbitant, and of a turbulent, 
spirit, unfit for a civil society, they would reject : till they 
come to mend their manners, such came not to enjoy any 
freehold. These seven men ordered and disposed of the 
streets of the town, as might be best for the improvement of 
the land, and that ci\il and religious society maintained. To 
which end, those that iiad land nearest the place for Sabbath 
assembly, had a lesser quantitj'' at home and more farther off, 
to improve for corn of all kinds. They refused not men for 
their poverty, but according to their ability were helpful to 
(he poorest sort, in building their houses, and distributed to 
them land accordingly : the poorest had six or seven acres of 
meadoxu and tii-enlij-five of upland or thereabouts. Thus was 
this town populaterl, and after this manner are the towns oi 
New England peopled.' 

That the inhabitants of Boston were equally careful as to 
the character of those they received among them, as were the 
people of Woburn, we have already seen, and they continued 
lo be so for a scries of years. At a Sclectinen''s meetings 
.January, 1C37, ' it was agreed that W'itlow Bushnell, George 
Itarwood, and John Low, the wheelwi-ight, shall have house 
lots and gardens ^ipoii the \isual condition of inqfensivc carriage. 
\n lGo'2, Feb. Richard Woody is admitted an inhabitant oa 
condition he shall not be offensive ])y his trade. August, 1657, 
John Tierce is admitted an inhabitant upon the testimony of 
.James Kvcrill and Isaac Collamore. Care was also taken, 
to secure the town from charge on account of new comers, 
antl bonds were re([uired to that effect, before leave to reside 

* Uuhbaril, N. E. 123.— Mass. II. C. 1. vi. 232.— W. W. V. cU. xxii. See also Hutch, coll. 
of p.ippr*, p. 88. 91. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 6J 

here could be obtained. This practice commenced as early 
as 1652, and the bonds are recorded in this stile, sc. ' Marga- 
ret Norris, an Irishwoman is admitted into the town, and 
David Faulkoner is bound to secure the town from any charge 
as respecting her, in a bond of seven pounds. "Witness his hand 

Mark 

33atjitr D. F. jFaiinionrr. 

of- 

26th, of 5th. 1658.' 

One of the privileges of being admitted an inhabitant was 
the right to improve the common lands, which so far as we 
can learn appear to have been reserved in every town. Prior 
to 1640 mention is frequently made of town fields, in the 
Boston records, and they seem to have been inclosed by gen- 
eral fence. Thus, in Feb. 1635 wc read, ' all the fences are 
to be made sufficient by the seventh of the second month, and 
they to be looked unto by our brother Grubb and Hudson 
for the nc7v field ; brother Penniman and brother Colburn for 
the field by him, and by brother Penn and brother Belcher 
for the fortfield : brother Matson and brother Everill at the 
mill-field.'' 

Again, March 1, 1636. All the fences belonging to the 
town fields are to be overseen and looked unto thus, ' the field 
toioards Roxbury by Jacob Eliot and Jonathan Neegoose ; 
the fort field by James Penn and Richard Gridley ; the mill 
field by John Button and Edward Bcndall, and the new field 
by John Audley and Thomas Fairweather.' In June, ' a suf- 
ficient footway is ordered to be made from W. Colburn'' s field 
and unto Samuel Wilbour's field next Roxbury, by the sur- 
veyors of high ways.' 

Of the abovenamed fields that next to Roxbury* comprised 
what we at present call the neck ; the fort field that portion 
of the town lying round about Fort hill : the mill field was at 
the north part of the town, and was so called from the wind- 
mill, which stood on what is at present called Copp's hill : the 
new field was that purchased of Mr. Blaokstone, and included 
the ground in the vicinity of the General Hospital ;* out of all 
these, lots were from time to time granted to individuals. 
The field by Mr. Colburn contained the greater part t of the 
present Common, and probably extended at that time as far 
as Beacon street. 



* See town records Dec. 26, 1642, and Oct. 23, 1639. 

t On the 6th October 1787 Wm. Foster conveyed to the town of Boston -'a certain tract of 
land containing two acres and one eighth of an acre situated lying and being near the Com- 
mon and bounded E. on the highway, 324 ft. North on the Common 295 ft. 5 in. W. on 
ihe ntwhurial ground, 302 ft. 3 in. S. on Pleasant St. 281 ft. 9 inches.'' vhidi makes the 
Southeast corner of the present Coraraon. 



62 HISTORY OF BOSTOA. 

Respecting this the following vote was passed on the 30th 
of March 1640, ' Henceforth there shall be no land granted 
either for house plot or garden to any person, out of the open 
ground or com.jion field, which is left between the Sentry hill 
and Mr. CoFourn's end, except three or four lots to make up 
the street from brother Robert Walker's to the round marsh.' 
This vote was followed in May, 1646, by these, 1. — It is grant- 
ed that all the inhabitants shall have equal right of com- 
monage in the town : those who are admitted by the town 
are to be inhabitants. 2. — it is ordered that all who shall after 
the date hereof, come to be an inhabitant in the town of Bos- 
ton shall not have right of commonage, unless he hire it of 
them that are commoners. 3. — There shall be kept out of 
the Common by the inhabitants of the town but seventy 
milch kine. 4. — No dry cattle, young cattle, or horse, shall 
be free to go on the common this year, but one horse of Elder 
Oliver. 5. — No inhabitant shall sell his right of commonage, 
but may only let it out to hire from year to year. 6, — No 
common marsh or pasture ground shall hereafter, by gift or 
sale, exchange or otherwise, be counted unto propriety, with- 
out consent of the major part of the inhabitants of the town.' 

Thus stood the subject of the Common until ]May 1660, 
when 'upon motion of some the inhabitants of Boston, the 
General Court ordered, that the selectmen of the town from 
time to time shall, and are hereby empowered to order the 
improvement and feeding of their commons, within the neck 
of land, by such cattle as they shall deem meet, any law, 
usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.' 

It seemed expedient to throw these materials together in 
this place, in order that the reader might acquire some idea 
of the manner in which the town and individuals obtained 
their title to their several estates. We leave the after history 
of the Common to be introduced in another place. 



CHRONOLOGICAL ITEMS. 

Continued from p. 40. 

1G32. JuJij. The congregation, i.e. the church at Boston 
wrote to the elders and brethren of the other churches for 
their advice on these questions, to wit, whether one person 
jnight be a civil magistrate and a ruling elder at the same 
lime? if not, then which should he lay down ? and whether 
there might be divers pastors in the same church ? The first 
was agreed by all negatively ; the second, doubtful ; the 
third, doubtful also. Jn consequence of this decision, Mr. 



HISTOKY OF BOSTON. 63 

Nowell, who was then an Elder in the Boston church, relin- 
quished that office and devoted himself to the duties of a ci- 
vilian. 

Aug. 20. Gov. Winthrop has a son born, who is baptized 
by the name of William. The Governour himself held the 
child, as others in the congregation did use. William (saith 
he) signifies a common man.* 

Sept. 4. Court at Boston. Order a man to be severely 
whipt for cursing, swearing, justifying the same, and glorying 
in it. 

Oct. 3. Every one shall pay a penny sterling for every 
time of taking tobacco in any place. 

18. Capt. Camock and Mr. Vesy, a merchant from Pisca- 
taqua, bring sixteen hogsheads of corn to the windmill at 
Boston. 

1633. March 4. Roxbury, Watcrtown, and Newtown are 
assessed six pounds, and Boston only five pounds, of a tax 
of £30. 

The first notorious thief in Massachusetts is censured thus : 
all his estate forfeited ; out of which double restitution shall 
be made to those whom he hath wronged ; shall be whipt, 
and bound as a servant to any that will retain him for three 
years, and after to be disposed of by the court, as they shall 
think meet. 

May. We had sent forth a pinnace after the pirate Dixey 
Bull, but when she had been gone two weeks, she came 
home, having not found him. 

./liig. 220 persons had joined Boston church : men 130. 

Sept. Every hand, except magistrates and ministers, is to 
assist in finishing the fort at Boston. 

Mr. Cotton desired baptism for his son, born on their pas- 
sage, whom he therefore named Seaborn. 

Oct. 2. The bark Blessing which had been sent to the 
Southward returned : she had been at Long Island. 

J^ov. A small ship of about sixty tons was built at Med- 
ford and called the Rebecca. 

Mr. Wilson, by leave of the co7igrcgation of Boston, went to 
Agawam (Ipswach) to teach the people of that plantation. 

Chicatabot dies, and many of his people. This chief used 
frequently to come to Boston, and was on very friendly terms 
with Gov. Winthrop. At one time he came with his sannops 
and squaws, and presented the governour with a bushel of 
corn. After taking some refreshments, and having each a 



* Journal. Prince, under date Oct. 29, 1630, says, ' The first recorded as baptized in the 
Boston churcb are said to be baptized in said church in this month, and are only three, 
namely, Joy and Recompence, daughters of Br. John Milles : and Pitie, daughter of our 
brother Win. Baulstone. 



64 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

cup of sack, wiih a taste of tobacco, he ordered the Avhole 
party away in a thunder storm. Only himself with one 
squaw and sannop staid over night, and the Governour allow- 
ed him to sit at his table, where he behaved himself as sober- 
ly as an Englishman. He sometimes wore English clothes, 
and as his best dress had become rather the worse for age, 
he applied to the Governour, in honest simplicity, to sell him 
a suit. The Governour, assuming the dignity of his office, 
told him that English sagamores did not use to truck ; and 
calling his tailor he ordered him to make a full suit for Chica- 
tabot. They were to be ready in three days, and he engag- 
ed to come for them : but as he had no wish to be under an 
obligation, he left two good skins of beaver as a present for 
the Governour. He returned at the time appointed, and his 
regimentals were in readiness. They suited him finely and 
he was mightily pleased. The Governour complimented him 
farther with a collation, 'but he would not eat till the Gover- 
nour had given thanks, and after meal he desired him to do 
the like, and so departed.' In this he exhibited more polite- 
ness than some of his brother chiefs, who while on a visit here 
wore invited to attend a sermon ; for they got weary of the 
service, and went out and broke into a neighbouring house, 
and without ceremony satisfied their hungry appetites with 
the best they could find. 

This year a water mill was built at Roxbury. 

1634. Alarch. Boston and Roxbury disagree about their 
bounds. 

4. A man that had often been punished for drunkenness, is 
now ordered to wear a red U about his neck for a year. 

There was stirred up a spirit of jealousy between Mr. 
James the pastor of Charlcstown and many of his people, so 
as Mr. Nowell, and some others who had been dismissed 
from Boston, began to (jueslion the fact of lireaking from Bos- 
ton, and it grew (o such a scruple of conscience among them, 
that the advice of the other ministers was taken in it, who 
after two meetings could not agree about their continuance or 
return. 

J]pril 3. Gov. Winlhrop went on foot to Agawam, and 
V)ecause the people there wanted for a minister, spent the 
sab!>alh with them, and exercised by way of prophecy. 

20. John Coggeshall, gent, being dismissed from the church 
of Roxbury lo lioston, though he were well known and ap- 
proval, yet was not recei\ed but by confession of his faith. 

Mai/. By this time the fort at Boston was in defence, and 
divert pieces of ordnance mounted in it. 

The week the court was, there arrived six ships with store 
of passengers and cattle. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 65 

jYov. The Rebecca came from Narraganset with 500 bush- 
els ot cori). 

1635. Jan. ]3. The church of Boston kept a day of hu- 
miliation, for the absence of their pastor and other brethren 
gone to England, and like to be troubled and detained there, 
and for that the Lord had made a breach upon them (by the 
drowning of two men and two boys a short time previous.) 
Mr. Cotton preached out of Numbers xxxv. 13, and one of 
the members taught from these words, Wherefore doth a living 
man complain ? 

March 23. Whereas the wood upon the neck of land 
toward Roxbury gate, this last winter, hath been disorderly 
cut oft' and wasted, whereby the poor inhabitants are disap- 
pointed of relief they might have had there, in after and 
needful times, now it is generally agreed that Mr. Treasurer 
[Coddington], Mr. Bellingham, and Mr. Wm. Hutchinson, 
with the three deacons, shall consider who have been faulty 
herein, and set down what restitution of wood unto the poor 
such shall make, according to their several proportions, allot- 
ted by the major part of these six. 

Cf^ Item. That whosoever at any publique meeting shall 
fall into any private conference to y*^ hindring of y^ publique 
businesses, shall forfeit for every such oftence twelve pence 
to be paid into y® constable's hand for publique uses. 

Ma\j 6. A general court was held at Newtown, when John 
Haynes, Esq. (^of Newtown) was chosen Gov. and Richard 
Bellingham, Esq. (of Boston) Dep. Gov. The Governour 
and Deputy were elected by papers whereiti their names 
were written, but the Assistants were chosen by papers with- 
out names ; thus the Governour propounded one to the peo- 
ple, when they all went out, and came in at one door, and 
every man delivered a paper into a hat — such as voted for 
the party named, gave in a paper with some figure or scroll 
on it, others gave in a blank. 

A BEACON is to be set on the Sentry hill at Boston, to give 
notice to the country of any danger ; to be guarded by one 
man stationed near, and fired as occasion may be. 

Boston differs with Dorchester about their bounds at Mt. 
Wolaston, and with Charleslown concerning Romney Marsh. 
These matters are considered in General Court. 

Absence from church meetings on the Lord's day is com- 
plained of, and the subject submitted to cognizance of two 
Assistants, who may correct oftenders at discretion, by fine 
HOt to exceed IO5. or by imprisonment. 

It is worthy of note here, that hitherto the punishments in- 
flicted for crimes had been in most cases ex post facto, and 
'^ome of them pretty severe, rmttinoj in jeopardy both life and 
9 



66 UislOUV UF BOSTON. 

limb : branding wiih a hot iron, and clipping ort" the ears 
were very common things. Bnt now ' the deputies having 
conceived greater danger to our state, in regard that our ma- 
gistrates, for want of positive laws in many cases, might pro- 
ceed according to their discretions, it was agreed that some 
men should be appointed to frame a body of grounds of laws, 
in resemblance to a Magna Charta, which being allowed by 
some of the ministers and the General Court, should be receiv- 
ed for fundamental laws.' Messrs. Cotton and Bellingham 
were members of the commission for this important purpose, 
3nd had the greatest share in the work. 



CHAPTER Xlll. 

" My fiither was as brave a lord 
As ever Europe might aflbrd ; 
5Iy moUier was a lady bright.'' 

Os the bixth of October, 1G3j, there arrived at Boston 
two ships, the Defence and the Abigail. Mr. \Vilson the 
pastor of Boston church was one of the passengers, and Mr. 
Henry Vane was another. The fame acquired by the latter 
in the course of his life, renders his character and history 
while here peculiarly interesting. Gov. Winthrop thus intro- 
duces him : ' one Mr. Henry Vane (son and heir to Sir Henr}^ 
Vane, comptroller of the King's house,) a young gentleman 
of excellent parts, who had becii employed by his father, 
when he was embassador, in foreign atlairs, ^^et being called 
to the obedience of the gospel, forsook the honours and pre- 
ferment of the court to enjoy the ordinances of Christ in 
their purity here. His father, being very averse to this way, 
would hardly have consented to his coming hither; but that 
on acquainting the King with his son's disposition and desire, 
he comnianded him to send him hither, and gave him license 
to stay three years.' 

English authors represent him as a man of profound dissim- 
ulation, and of quick conception : very eloquent, ready, 
sharp and weighty in his expressions : of a pleasant wit, and 
great understanding, })iercing into and discerning the pur- 
poses of other men with wonderful sagacil}', whilst he had 
hiniseU a true vulium clausum, such a singular countenance 
that no man could guess fiom it what he intended. 

At the time of his ari'ival here, Mr. \^ine was but twrnt}-- 
three years of age : lie made great professions of religion. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON'. b< 

was enthusiastick, and conformed to the peculiar scruples of 
the day. The people of Boston very soon became attached 
to him. He was admitted into the church on the tirst of No- 
vember, and on the 30th of that month we find his name in 
the following important regulation, adopted in a general town- 
meeting : 

' None of the members of this congregation, or inhabitants 
amongst us, shall sue one another at the law, befoi-e that Mr. 
Henry Vane and the two elders, Mr. Thomas Oliver and 
Thomas Leverett, have had the hearing and deciding of the 
cause, if they can.' 

It does not appear that it was found expedient to renew 
this order, in any future year. 

The next notice we find of xMr. Vane is that he united with 
Hugh Peters, also a famous man afterwards, in endeavours to- 
procure a reconciliation between the magistrates and some 
other 'persons of quality.' There was not indeed any pub- 
lick or notorious disagreement existing, that required this 
interference, but there was evidently some alienation of affec- 
tion, and the result of it had been that factions were beginning 
to rise among the people, some adhering more to VVinthrop 
and some more to Dudley, of whom the former was thought 
to be too lenient and the latter too severe. At the meeting 
now procured by Vane and Peters, explanations were mado 
on all sides, and harmony restored on terms which were sat- 
isfactory to all. 

It is not strange that the man whom the people of Boston 
had thought worthy of their highest confidence, and who had 
shown so good a faculty at regulating magistrates themselves, 
should be thought worthy to he himself elected to some olfice. 
Accordinglj'-, having been admitted a freeman on the third of 
March, Mr. Vane was at the next Election, in May 1G36, 
chosen Governour of the colony."^ IMr. Winthrop was at the 
same time chosen Dep. Governour. On this occasion Hutch- 
inson remarks, that Gov. Haynes who seemed to stand most 
in the way of Mr. Winthrop had left the colony, and was set- 
tled in Connecticut ; and Mr. Winthrop would have had a 
good prospect of recovering his former share of the people's 
regard, if Mr. Vane's solemn, grave deportment had not en- 
gaged almost the whole colony in his favour. 

Gov. Vane had great respect shown to him at first, and 
took more state upon him than any Governour had ever done 
before. ('Because he was son atid heir to a privy counsellor 
in England') the ships in the harbour, which were 15 in num- 
ber, congratulated his election with a salute ; and the next 

* Roger Williams had previously to this received sentence of bani'Unient. on account of 
his sentiments, and left this jurisdiction in J:«nuary 1636. 



(jii lIIsTOKV OF BOSTON. 

week he invited all the masters to dinner. This was the first 
entertainment of the kind in Boston. Mr. Vane took advan- 
tage of the good feelings occasioned, and brought the cap- 
tains to enter into some engagements respecting their trade 
and conduct here, which promised much utility, but which 
were never efi'cctually carried into execution. His adminis- 
tration for several months met with much applause, but 
towards the end of the 3 ear the people grew discontented and 
he perceived it, and grew weary of the government. He 
received letters from his fi-icnds in London urging his return 
home: Messrs. AVinthrop and Dudley, to whom as members 
with himself of the standing council he first communicated 
them, were agreed that the occasion would justify his compli- 
ance with the request. He therefore called a meeting of the 
general court, and made known to them the necessity there 
was for his departure, and of course for his (juitting the ad- 
ministration. The court took time till the next morning to 
consider the suljjcct, and when they met, one of the Assist- 
ants so pathetically lamented the loss of such a governour, at 
a period of so much danger, iioth from the French and the 
Indians, that Mr. Vane burst into tears, and avowed, that 
notwithstanding the occasion on which he proposed to leave 
the country involved the utter ruin of his estate in England, 
he would yet have iiazarded all that, rather than have left 
them at such a crisis, if other things had not pressed him more. 
He alluded to the inevitable danger of the judgments which 
he feared were coming upon them, for the diil'erences and 
dissensions which he saw among them, and the scandalous 
imputations brought u[)on himself, as if he were the cause of 
all : therefore he thought it was best for him to give place for 
a lime. The addition of the last reasons displeased the 
court, but upon hi*, acknowledgment, that the expression of 
them slipped from him out of passion, the court silently con- 
sented 10 his departure. But some of the church of Boston, 
being loth to part w ith the Governour, had a meeting and 
agreed that they did not apprehend the necessity of the Gov- 
cruour's leaving, ibi" the reasons alleged, and sent some of 
thcii- number to signify as much to the court. 'J'he Govern- 
our thereupon expressed himself to be an ohedient child of the 
church, and therefore, notwithstanding the license of the 
court, he durst not go away contrary to her expressed will. 

The ililVeiences n!\{l dissensions to which the Governour 
referred, originated in the JJosion cinirch. \s liich it will be 
recollcctrd at that linic composed the great body of the peo- 
ple of the town. 'Jhe members of the church had been ac- 
( uslomcd to meet once a week, to repeat the sermons they 
had hoard on the Lord's clay, and lo debate upon the doc- 
trines ih.at had been delivered. These n\eetings being pccu- 



HISTORY OF nosToy. 69 

liar to the men, at least none of the other spx being allowed 
to take part in the debates, some of the zealous women 
thought it might be useful for them to have stieh meetings 
among themselves. Accordingly, Mrs. Ann, wife of Mr. 
William Hutchinson, a woman of a bold and masculine spirit, 
of ready talents and great Row of speech, established one at 
her house. 

Mr. Hutchinson was a man of fair estate and sustained a 
good reputation in England. His wife, as Mr. Cotton saj's, 
was also highly esteemed, and people of piety cultivated her 
acquaintance. After she came to Boslon, which was on the 
18th September 1634, she was treated with respect. Much 
notice was taken of her by Mr. Cotton, and particularly by 
Mr. Vane. Her husliand served in the General Court on 
several elections as a representative for Boston, until he was 
excused at the desire of the church. So much atleniion 
seeras to have increased Mrs. Hutchinson's natuiai vanity, 
and produced too much self-confidence. 

The noveltj'- of the thing and the fame of Mrs. H. cjuickly 
gained her a numerous audience at her uiectings. They 
were kept every week, and from sixty to eighty women 
would usually attend. Mrs. H. took the lead in prayer and 
in the repetition of Mr. Cotton's sermons, and afterwards 
made reflections of her own. She grounded her practice on 
the injunction given by Paul, that the elder women should 
teach the younger. At first these meetings were generally 
approved, but after some time it appeared that Mrs. H. was 
in the habit of making an invidious distinction between the 
ministers in the colony : two or three of them she aliowed to 
be sound men, under the covenant of grace; the rest she con- 
demned as under the covenant of works. 

Mr. John Wheelwright, a brother-in-law to Mrs. Hutchin- 
son, a minister of character for learning and piety, joined 
with her in sentiment. To their fault of classing the clergy 
under so exceptionable a distinction, as was that of grace 
and works in those days, they added the propagation of two 
tenets, which were deemed to be dangerous errours : 1. That 
the person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a justified person. 2. 
That sanctification is no proof of justification. And Mrs. H. 
maintained the belief, that individuals miaht, as herself had 
been, be favoured with immediate revelations ccjually infal- 
lible with the scriptures. 

It was not long before it was found, that the far greater 
part of the Boston church, v.ith Mr. Cotton and Gov. Vane 
(whom Mr. Winthrop yet styles a wise and godl_y gentleman, 
when he records the fact in his journal) held to the doctrine 
of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost : but Mr. Vane went so 
far before the rest as to maintain the idea of a personal 



70 HISTORY OF BOSTOA. 

union. Mr. Winthrop, with Mr. Wilson the pastor, and four 
or five other members, denied both. The parties discussed 
their diiiercnt opinions in writing, and came to this conclu- 
sion ; that they all agreed in the chief matter of substance, 
namely, that the Holy Ghost is God, and doth dwell in the 
believer, as the father and Son are both said also to do; but 
as the scriptures do not declare the manner of this union, and 
as the mention of the person of the Holy Ghost is not found 
in them, nor in the writings of the primitive churches for the 
three first centuries, it was earnestly desired, and one would 
think must have been agreed, that the word person should be 
forborne, as tending only to doubtful disputation^ 

Such were some of the notions that turned the city upside 
down, as they are unintelligibly communicated to us. Had 
the trouble ended here, as it ought to have done, we should 
probably have known still less about it. But opinions bad 
been expressed too freely, and some persons retained too 
much attachment to their own notions to let the matter rest. 
On the contrary, allairs were so managed that the Doston 
church became embroiled in its own private concerns, and 
before the close of the didiculty, found herself opposed to all 
the other churches in the countrj', and ministers and. magis- 
trates in all quarters arrayed against her. 

Some members of this church were strongly inclined to 
have Mr.^Vhcclwright settled as a colleague with Messrs. Wil- 
son and Cotton. It was proposed on a Lord's da}', and 
another day appointed for deciding on the measure. When 
the question was introduced, one of the members, probably 
Mr. Winthrop, rose and declared that he could not give his 
consent. The reason he assigned was, that he considered 
the church already furnished with able ministers, with whose 
sentiments and dispositions they were well acquainted, and 
whose services had been highly blessed : he saw no urgent 
necessity for the proposed step, and therefore doubted the 
pro[)riety of piuiing the welfare of the church to the least 
hazai-d, by calling in another man who was known to hold 
obnoxious sentiments. Gov. \'ane expressed his surprise at 
such ol)jections, as Mr. Cotton had lately approved Mr. 
Wheelwright's docti-ines. Mr. C. did not precisely recollect, 
and desired Mr. Wheelwright to explain some expressions 
attributed to hiin. He did so, and in such a manner that the 
fM-sl mentioned member was obliged to say he thought it quite 
likely that he and iMr. Wheelwright mightagree; but still, not- 
withstanding lie allowed him to be a very good man and very 
capable minister, he could not consent to choose liim for a 
teacher here, for he was at best too apt to raise 'doubtful dis- 
putations.' On the whole, the church concluded to give way, 
with the understanding thul Mr. Wheelwright might be called 



BisT«eT •w Btcsms. 



» a Bev cfanck aboot to be fcvaed 3lM: 
Thos tJie icdoence of ooe reasaoaUe aaa, ^ 
dares io do iiis dtLtr. maj otteiicines pr cTct b& r ' 

givea for this :' so oaaT. c 

adered an apoi<: . : aade k. 

Tbe mmksers .? »»rtiTe wk- 

a€s&es of ir 1 a 

ideas had - , > 

paired hkber, eo cs; r 

war, 50oa after the :_ _ : -^. . : . .-. _-^ . . a 

iii€ snbjecE of 53Dca5caaoQ.ih€TC\jGldscc :resce 

betweeDEh€iaseIresanGMe5srs.C: . ::: 

the odier sabjec: of :he r^r?.?-!! ^ :. 

The CoGTt a: last ir :i 

tbe ckrzT. ^-i?T - ^. _ ■ - _• ;5 

was h: —y* 

Jaxh^ — ^- recce Mr. Pe:crs :cck occasvC^ .j 

tell Goveniocr Yaoe ma: witliia kss cbsa tiro rears since. th«e 
ckarches wer: ;:e: and "r : - : - 

experiewre. ewt?re c 

sioo>. r- 
mgof'.i - 
made a verjr sa - 

«» the unaroki:.-.- ,_.. ^ ,.. . . 

and alienations were noc speedilj remedied ; :e 

blame of ali :he trouble a; the : r' -. Ail 

the BBacistr3:€S excer: Gov. . bablj 

Messr?. Coddir^oc ic Dumm^r aiiu .i^j. ^i-e uiuiisicf* exoepc 
ivvo. cof^noed his decloratioc. 

This speech of Mr. Wilsoo was taV bj Mr. Cocioq 

and others of his church, iha: they _ v._ .u hiiii to obcjtia 
saiisfactioQ. But Mr. Wilsoo. and socie others coosidcrrd 
that the call of the co<ir: V f case a special ore, and 
left him »" liberty, iode^ h's ci»tv. ro speak freely. 

In " _ • :s, he assured 

tb - - . .' i:s mecabers 

m<we toan others- fcis explana:ion wocld cot satEjfy. and 
he was called to answer publickly for his ocence. on Lord's 
day. Dec. 31, 1636. There Mr Vane pressed it vioteaily 
apiinst him. and so did ail the church, except Mr. Winihrop 
and one or two Ovhers. It was stran=:e. s3ts the Govcrao^ir's 
journal • to see how such as had known Mr. AVilson so Ions:. 
and known what ^ood he had done tor that church, shocKi 
fall upon him with snch bitterness for justifying himself ia a 
good cause ; for he was a very hoJy and uprisrht mar, anvi 
for faith and love inferior to none in the covntrv. and most 
dear to all men.* Mr. Cotton ioined with the church in their 



72 HISTORY 0¥ UOSTOX. 

judgment of him, not without some appearance of prejudice, 
yet with much wisdom and modei-aiion. They were eager 
to proceed to present censure ; but Mr. Cotton dissuaded 
ihem from that, on the ground that ' it might not be done be- 
cause some 0[)posed it :' so he gave him a grave exhortation. 
Mr. Cotton was three years older than Mr. Wilson, and two 
years older than Gov. Winthrop. Notwithstanding the ad- 
monition, Mr. Wilson preached on the next Lord's day, and 
acc|uitted hiinself so satisfactorily that Gov. Vane himself, as 
was the custom in those days, ' gave publick witness to him.' 

This was not the end of the church's contentions. One re- 
puted heresy paved the way for another, till at length the sa- 
gacity of some men could discover at least eighty dangerous 
doctrines to prevail, either in the form of explicit avowal or of 
necessary inference. Partly on account of this trouble a gen- 
eral fast was kept in January 1637. But the observance of 
no rites whatever was able to abolish the existing differences 
or points of faith. Mr. Cotton alone of all the settled clergy 
was on one side ; and the very circumstance of his dissenting 
from his brethren was sufficient to give the dispute a wider 
notoriety and keener edge, 'i'he whole country was by this 
time divided. One party ranged itself on the side of justifica- 
tion, and the other on that of sanctification; and the distinction 
between the advocates of fi'oe grace, and the adherents lo 
works, was as broad as that which separates protestants from 
papists. 

The General Court which commenced its session in March 
upheld its interest in the controversy, it had a party in fa- 
vour of Mr. Cotton and his church, but the majority was on 
the side of Mr. Wilson and his friends. Of course the correct- 
ness of the proceedings against him was questioned, and the 
church decided to have been in the wrong: his speech in the 
last court and the whole tenour of his conduct were adjudged 
not only faultless but reasonable. 

Mr. Whrelwj-ight had been so injudicious as to preach a 
sermon on the late fast day, which uas calculated lo inllame 
rather than to allay the irritation alreadj^ existing. It was 
understood that he was to be called in question at this court 
for the seditious tendency of that sermon. Nearly all the 
church of Boston therefore interposed, and presented a peti- 
tion or remonstrance on the subject, in which they demanded 
that as freemen they might be present in cases of judicature, 
and that the court should declare whether they had a right 
to <leal in cases of conscience before the church. 'J'he peti- 
tion was rejected as a groundless and presutnpiuous act. 'J'he 
court proceeded to adjudge Mr. Wheelwright to be guilty 
of sedition and also of contempt. Gov. Vane and 
some others oHcred a protest which was rejected. The 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. t3 

church of Boston also oftered another petition in which they 
justified Mr. Wheelwright's sermon. In conclusion, sentence 
was deferred till the next Court. When they were about 
adjourning, it was moved that the next session should be held 
at Newtown. Gov. Vane, considering it an undeserved re- 
proach upon the people of Boston, refused to put the vote. 
The deputy, Mr. Winthrop, being also a Boston man, declin- 
ed doing it, except the court required it : so the honour fell 
to Mr. Endicott, who put the question and it was carried ia 
the affirmative. 

We find no event in the course of the history of Boston, 
which appears to have excited more universal interest in the 
people of the town than this Antinomian controversy, as it 
was called. Whether their religious notions were right or 
wrong, it is impossible to tell ; hut it is evident that they felt 
their rights as an independent church to be encroached upon, 
and that they were jealous for their political privileges. The 
next court was held, according to vote, on the 17th of May. 
Soon as the meeting was organized, which was about one 
o'clock, a petition was offered by those from Boston. Gov. 
Vane would have read it ; but Mr. Winthrop declared it to 
be out of order, as this was a court of election. Others also 
opposed the reading; because the petition being upon some 
' pretence of liberty' (a favourite Boston notion) would spend 
the whole day in debate. Mr. Wilson, in his zeal, got upoa 
the bough of a tree (it was warm weather, and the election 
was carried on in the field) and there made a speech, advising 
the people to look to their charter and proceed to the business 
pf the day. The people applauded him and cried out Elec- 
tion ! Election! the great majority was for proceeding. Gov. 
Vane and his friends were not contented, till the deputy told 
him, that if he would not go on, himself and the rest would 
proceed without him. Upon this he yielded, and the election 
resulted in a return to the original establishment, Mr. Win- 
throp for Governour and Mr. Dudley for Deputy. Some 
new assistants were chosen, and Mr. Vane, Mr. Coddington 
and Mr. Richard Dummer left entirely out of office. This 
meeting was very tumultuous ; some fierce speeches were 
made and blows struck, but the strength being evidently on 
one side, the other soon grew quiet. 

Boston had deferred the choice of her representatives till 
the election for Governour should be over. The next morn- 
ing, Mr. Vane, Mr. Coddington and Mr. Atherton Hough 
were chosen. The court considered this selection an insult, 
and sent them home again, on the ground that two of the 
freemen of Boston had not been notified. On a new choice 
the next day. the town returned the same gentlemen, and ' the 
10 



74 HISTORY or BOSTOir, 

court not finding how they might reject them, they were 
admitted.' 

Upon the election of Mr. Winthrop, the four Serjeants, who 
had attended the former Governour to the court, being all 
Boston men, laid down their halberds and went home, refus- 
ing to perform any such service in honour of Gov. Winthrop.* 
Mr. Vane and Mr. Coddington being discontented that the 
people had left them out of all office, refused to sit in the 
mngistrates' seat in the meeting-house, and took their seats 
with the deacons, although Gov. \V. politely invited them to 
sit with him. 

Mr. Wheelwright appeared at this court, according to order, 
but as a day of fasting had been appointed for the 25th of 
the month, ' when it was agreed that all the churches should 
choose men to meet and confer about the differences,' the 
court gave him respite to the next session, which was appoint- 
ed for the first Tuesday in August. They gave him that time 
to consider whether he would retract his errours and make 
submission, or abide the decision of the court. His answer was 
noble : ' if I have been guilty of sedition, let me die; recan- 
tation is out of the question: if you proceed thus unrighteous- 
ly against me, I shall appeal to the tribunal of my king.' 

There was some expectation, about this lime, of an arrival 
from England, with a party of emigrants favourable to the 
sentiments prevailing in Boston. This court therefore seiz- 
ed the opportunity of preventing such a calamity as they 
supposed their settlement here would be, and passed a 
law which prohibited all persons to entertain any stranger, 
who should come with intention to reside, without liberty 
from one of the standing council or two other assistants. This 
was a very severe order, and was so disliked by the people 
of Boston, that upon the Governour's return from court, they 
all refused to go out to meet him, or show him any respect. 

Mr. Cotton was so dissatisfied with this law, that he was on 
the point of removing to New-IIavcn. A defence of it was 
published by the magistrates, and answered by Mr. Vane, 
who was replied to, probably by Gov. Winthrop.t But ar- 
guments served only to make each party better satisfied of 
their own correctness. The difference between Mr. Vane and 
the Governour became so great, that Vane refused an invita- 
tion to a dinner, given by the Governour in honour of Lord 
Leigh, a young nobleman, who was here on a visit to the 



" The country l&kiii{^ notice of this, offered to send in some from llie neighbouring towns to 
carry the halljcr'ls by course, and upon that the town of Boston offered to send some men 
but not the Serjeants ■ the Uovcniour chose rather to luaWe use of two of his own servant?. 

t See Hatch, coll. of papers, p. tJ7— 84. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 75 

country. His lordship and Mr. Vane prepared to return in 
August. At their departure (Aug. 2) Mr. Vane's friends as- 
sembled and accompanied him to the boat. A military com- 
pany being under arms, gave them ' divers volleys of shot,' 
and five pieces of ordnance, and they had five more at the 
castle. The governour was absent, attending court at New- 
town, ' but he had left order with the captain for their hon- 
ourable dismission.' 

On Mr. Vane's return to England he assumed an active 
part in the political affairs of the kingdom ; was knighted in 
1640; joined the party that was against King Charles, and 
after the restoration was tried for high treason and beheaded 
June 14, 1662. 

He had lived, while in Boston, in the house which now 
stands on the westerly side of Common Street, (within the 
square Fh of our plan,) on one of the Tremont hillocks, next 
northeasterly to the mansion house of Lieut. Gov. Phillips. 
This is the oldest house in the city of which we have any ac- 
count. It was originally small. Mr. Vane gave it to Mr. 
Cotton, who made an addition to it, and lived and died there. 
His family occupied it some time after. The building is of 
wood : the front part has a modern appearance, but the back 
exhibits marks of its antiquity. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

" Ah me ! outstretchM I see, 

In nameless agony, 
Woman's imploring band." 

Sir Henry Vane has had the credit of being the life-blood 
of the party, which Mrs. Hutchinson's notions had created. 
However that may have been, it is ver}' apparent that his 
presence here formed a powerful protection for them against 
the spirit of persecution, which had already been active. 
Roger Williams had been banished for holding opinions less 
dangerous, in the mind of Gov. Winthrop; and it had been 
declared by Mr. Vane, that the execution of the law against 
strangers would be followed by the banishment of such as 
were already here. We shall see that his forebodings were 
wofully prophctick. 

Mrs. Hutchinson continued her lectures, and her admirers 
are said to have been indefatigable in spreading her senti- 
ments : both church and state were thrown into uproar and 



76 HISTORY or BOSTON. 

the affections of people strangely alienated ; they were fre- 
quently quarrelsome, and upon every occasion ready to come 
to blows. Both parties claimed Mr. Cotton for their own 
man : the one affirmed that the doctrines they taught were 
regularly deduced from his sermons, the other denied it. At 
last Mr. Cotton was desired to declare himself freely from the 
pulpit, which he accordingly did, and condemned most of the 
new^ positions as false and erroneous. 'J'his brought upon hitn 
the bitterest reproaches : he was called by some a timoi-ous 
man, that dui-st not abide by his own sentiments ; by others a 
deceiver, that taught one thing in publick and another in pri- 
vate. One man, more impudent if more witty than the rest, 
sent him a pound of candles, bidding his servant tell him it 
was because he wanted light; ' upon which the good man be- 
stowed only a silent smile.' 

The August court probably postponed the business of Mr. 
Wheelwright, until they should know the result of the synod, 
which was expected to meet at Newtown, in accordance with 
the May vote, on the 30lh of that month. The object of this 
assembly having been the purification of Boston from heresy, 
a particular account of it demands a place here. There were 
present not only the ministers and messengers from the seve- 
ral churches, but also the magistrates for keeping the peace, 
who were allowed both to hear, and to speak, if they had a 
mind. A place was likewise appointed for the favourers of 
the new opinions, and the doors were set open, for as many 
as pleased to come in and hear the debates. The first day 
was spent in choosing Mr. Hooker from Connecticut and Mr. 
Bulkley minister of Concord, for moderators. Mr. Cotton, 
though confessedly at the head of the clergy, was thought to 
be too much a party to be honoured with that dignity. A list 
was then read of eighty-two erroneous opinions, which had 
been maintained in various parts of the country, some of 
which were the most monstrous and absurd ever heard of. The 
following days were spent in debating the several points. In 
the morning a committee was employed in forming arguments 
against the errours to be confuted that (la3^ which in the after- 
noon were produced in the synod. Next day the defenders 
gave in their reply, and produced their arguments for the sup- 
port of their side of the question ; the third day. the opponents 
made the last reply. The authors of the errours were neither 
mentioned nor enquired for by the sjnod, but the errours 
themselves were confuted and condemned by reference to 
particular texts of scripture, which, says Cotton Mather, 
being briefly applied unto the case, did, unto reasonable men, 
immediately smite the erroin* under the fifth rib. All the 
members of the synod signed the condemnation, except Mr. 
Cotton, who, though he expressed his dislike of the major part 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 77 

of the doctrines, refused to condemn them in the lump : the 
synod endeavoured to convince him of his mistake, but in 
vain. Yet this did not prevent a reconciliation between him 
and the rest of the clergj^ : he agreed to unite with them in 
opposing what he believed to be false, and ' thereafter this 
reverend and worthy minister regained his former splendour, 
with his wonted esteem and interest in the hearts of all his 
friends and acquaintance.' 

Numbers of the Boston church were present at this synod. 
They, as well as some others were offended that so many 
errours should be produced, and declared it a reproach laid 
upon the country without cause. They called for the names 
of persons holding this or that doctrine, and were answered, 
that the evidence was abundant, that such errours had advo- 
cates either in town or country, yet as the synod had no con- 
cern with persons, but w ith doctrines only, it wos deemed in- 
expedient to name any individual. The minority however 
were too much warmed to suffer any thing to be secreted. 
They were urgent in their calls for names and witnesses. 
The moderator, called for order in vain, and the magistrates, 
on suggesting that if silence were not maintained they should 
be obliged to interpose, were told that they had no province 
in such an assemblj'. One of them retorted, that if immediate 
silence did not ensue, an opportunity would be given for test- 
ing the correctness of the two opinions. There was so much 
severity in this sort of language, that some of the Boston mem- 
bers withdrew from the assembly. 

Among other things which this synod decreed, this was 
one: though some few women may meet together for prayer 
and mutual advice, yet such a set assembly, as is in practice 
at Boston, is unlawful (where sixty or more meet every week, 
and one woman takes upon herself the whole exercise.) Ano- 
ther decree was, that private members should be very spar 
ing intheir questions and observations in publick after sei-mon. 
These two decisions struck at the root of two Boston evils. 
Mr. Davenport delivered the decrees of the synod, and after 
preaching a very seasonable discourse from Philippians iii. 
16. dismissed the meeting on the 22d of September. 

One would have thought, says Neal, ' the unanimous voice 
of the synod should have quieted the minds of the people, but 
the heads of the faction were not to be vanquished by scrip- 
ture and reason. Mr. AYheclwright continued his preaching, 
and Mrs. Hutchinson her meeting, and their followers were so 
influenced by their doctrines, that when Mr. Wilson went up 
into the pulpit, half the congregation would go out.' In this 
state of things, the people were prepared for further proceed- 
ings against those who maintained the condemned opinions. 
The court met on the 26th of September, when Mr. Wheel- 



78 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Wright appeared and was dismissed till further orders. It 
seems that a major vote of the deputies, to execute the decrees 
of the late synod, could not be obtained; therefore* the house 
was dissolved and a new one chosen. Eleven only out of 
twenty-six of the former deputies were elected into the new 
court, which met Nov. 2, at Newtown, because ' the town of 
Boston was so infected with the new opinions, that they were 
afraid of a riot.' The representatives from Boston were 
Messrs. Coddington, Aspinvvall and Coggcshall. 

This court, fmding upon consultation that two so opposite 
parties could not continue in the same body without apparent 
hazard of ruin to the whole, agreed to send away some of the 
principals. For this a ' fair opportunity was offered by the 
remonstrance which was preferred by the Boston people in 
March last, and rejected by the court as presumptuous.!' The 
remonstrance was signed by more than sixty hands. The 
first step was to clear their own body from all that had any 
concern in it. Mr Aspinvvall was a signer and Mr. Cogges- 
hall had defended it : they were therefore expelled, and war- 
rant issued to the town for a new choice. The people would 
fain have sent the same men again, but Mr. Cotton appeared 
at the meeting (Nov. 6.) and with much ado dissuaded them 
from their resolution. They then chose William Colburn and 
John Oliver to be joined with Mr. Coddington. § Oliver was 
in the same condemnation and he was not received. But 
whether the court had too much discretion to insult the town 
by a warrant for a third election, or whether the town had 
too much spirit to choose another does not appear.|| 

The next business was to dispose of Mr. Wheelwright. The 
court summoned him to give his peremptory answer, whether 
he would acknowledge his otience, oi* abide the sentence of 
the court. His answer was, 'that he had been guilty of no 
sedition nor contempt •, that he hnd delivered nothing but the 
truth, and as for the application of his doctrine, that was niade 
by others and not by himself,' He was then desired to leave 
the colony of his own accord, and upon refusal, received the 
following sentence : ' Mr. .1. W. being formerly convicted of 
contempt and sedition and now justifying himself and his for- 
mer practice, being the dishirbnnce of the civil peace^ he is by 
the court disfranchised and banished, having fourteen days 
to settle his affairs.' 

Next came on the examination of the petitioners. The 
first who was sent for was Mr. Coggcshall, who was a deacon 



* Baclnu. 1 tfinthrop^i Journal. 

{ See this remonsirnnce in Ai'iH'uilix No. II. 

§ Town recoids. i iMass. II. 0. 2. \. 24. 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 79 

of the Boston church. The court charged him with contempt 
for having said that if they expelled Mr. Aspinwall lor sign- 
ing the remonstrance, they had better make but one work of 
all; for though his hand was not to it, his heart was in it.' 
Mr. Coggeshall pleaded that his privilege as a deputy should 
screen him from any punishment. The court would not ac- 
cede to this and he ' was disfranchised and enjoined not to 
speak any thing to disturb the public k peace upon pain of ban- 
ishment.' 

Mr. Aspinwall was called next. He not only had signed 
the remonstrance, but was himself the author of it, and had 
carried it about town to get signers to it. He justified himself, 
and was disfranchised and banished, to depart before the 
end of the next March. 

After these, William Balston and Edward Hutchinson two 
of the Serjeants of Boston appeared. Both their hands were 
to the remonstrance, and the court took a great deal of pains to 
make them acknowledge their offence; but they were obsti- 
nate, and uttered a great many affronting speeches against the 
magistrates who were not of their opinion: so they were both 
' turned out of their places, disfranchised and fined, Balston 
£20 and Hutchinson £40: but H. owniui^ his fault the next 
day was released of his fine, and o?j/^ disfranchised.' 

Another day, four or five more of the leading petitioners 
were called, and they, being obstinate too, were disfranchised. 
Capt. Underbill had his commission taken from him, and 
Thomas Marshall, the ferryman, lost his place. Ten others 
whose names were signed made their appearance, but the court 
judging that they had been drawn in, by the subtilty of a few 
active men, they were pardoned, upon acknowledging their 
offence. 

As disfranchised men were not likely to be long quiet or to 
remain friendless, it was judged not improbable that those 
who had been seduced into the errours of Mr. W. and Mrs. 
H. might ' as others in Germany in former times, upon some 
revelation, make sudden irruption upon those that difler from 
them in judgment; for prevention whereof it is ordered that 
those whose names are underwritten shall deliver in at Mr. 
Keayne's house, at Boston, all such guns, pistols, swords, 
powder, shot and match as they shall be owners of, or have in 
their custody — and no man who is to render his arms by this 
order, may buy or borrow any guns, swords or pistols, pow- 
der, shot or match, until this court shall take further order 
herein.' Seventy-six men are named as being disarmed by 
this order, only if any of them would disavow the remon- 
strance, they might be freed from its operation. Of these sev- 
enty-six 58 belonged to Boston. The whole number of fam- 
ilies in town did not much exceed 120. 



•80 HISTOllY OF BOSTON. 

Mrs. Hutchinson's fate remained to be determined. She 
was accordingly sent for by the court. She was formally ac- 
cused of the errours attributed to her, and witnesses were pro- 
duced to sustain the charges. Several clergymen gave ac- 
count of conferences they had held with her, which exhibited 
her conduct in an unfavourable light. She demanded that 
ihey should be put under oath. After much altercation that 
course was adopted. Messrs. Eliot, Peters and Weld were 
sworn, and the amount of their testimony was 'that Mrs. H. 
averred, that there was a broad ditiercnce between them and 
Mr. Cotton ; that he preached a covenant of grace and they 
of works ; that they were not able ministers of the New Tes- 
tament and were not clear in their experience, because they 
were not sealed and were but like the apostles before the as- 
cension.' This was the head and front of her offending. The 
trial lasted two days : for the most part she referred her ac- 
cusers and judges to the scriptures, whose words, says Mr. 
Emerson, it must be confessed, as urged by the woman, often 
caused them some little confusion. She acknowledged her 
confidence in revelations, which she had received in regard 
to future providences, and this acknowledgment satisfied 
most of the court of her worthiness of banishment. She 
warned them to forbear, but to no purpose ; the trial con- 
cludes thus : 

Gov. If it be the mind of the court that Mrs. Hutchinson, for these things that apper.r 

before us, is unfit for our society, and if it be the mind of the court that she shall be banish- 
ed out of our liberties, and imprisoned till she be sent away, let them hold up their bands : 
All but three. 

Those that are contrary minded, hold up yours : 
Mr. Coddington and Mr. Colburn only. 

Mr. Jennison. I cannot hold up my hand one way or the other, and I shall give my rea- 
son if the court require it. 

Gov. Mrs. Hutchinson ! the sentence of the court you hear is, that you are banished from 
out of our jurisdiction, as being a woman not fit for our society, and are to be imprisoned 
till the court shall send you away. 

Mrs. H. I desire to know wherefore I am banished. 

Gov. Say no more : the court know wherefore, and is satisfied. 

After this sentence Mrs. H. remained in Boston and the 
neighbourhood, in custody of some of the clergy. The church 
found occasion to disapprove her conduct, and on the 22d of 
March 1638, she was ' cast out of the church for impenitently 
persisting in a manifest lie.' She received orders from the 
Governour to leave the jurisdiction before the close of the 
month, and accordingly departed on the 28th day. She went 
with her husband to Rhode Island. In the year 1642, after 
her husband's death, she removed into the Dutch country 
beyond New Haven, and the next year she and all her family, 
consisting of si.xlcen pei-sons, were killed by the Indians, ex- 
cept one daughter, whom they carried into captivity. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 81 

la consequence of these proceedings, which the sufferers 
felt to be severely oppressive, however justifiable the au- 
thors may have thought themselves, a considerable number 
of very respectable men contemplated a removal from Boston. 
It was proposed by Mr. John Clarke, a learned physician, a 
man of ardent piety and sound understanding, sufficient knowl- 
edge and much usefulness. He with some others were chosen 
to select a convenient place, and after wandering up and down, 
in the depth of winter, they concluded upon Rhode Island, 
whither they removed in the spring of 1638. The court had 
intimations, that it was their intention to return, when the fer- 
vour of the times should be abated. To prevent this, an order 
of banishment was issued against a number, requiring that 
they should remove their families, whenever they went them- 
selves. Mr. Coddington was included in this order. He 
was the principal man of the company, but for some reason 
had not attracted the attentions of the court heretofore, being 
neither disfranchised nor disarmed. He was a gentleman of 
family, and fortune, from Boston in Lincolnshire, and was 
one of the first and most eminent merchants here. His prop- 
erty at Mt. VVolaston was large, and he owned the first brick 
building which was erected in Boston.* 

The jealousy entertained against Boston at this period was 
carried so far that an order was passed to have the courts 
both General and Quarter kept at Newtown, till further order. 
The publick stores of powder and arms were removed to 
Newtown and Roxbury, and the persons disarmed were ex- 
cused from performing military duty. The courts returned to 
Boston in the latter part of the next year, but the powder was 
kept at Roxbury till April 1645, when seventeen barrels of it 
were blown up. The explosion shook the houses in Boston 
and Cambridge like an earthquake, and burning cinders were 
brought by the winds beyond the Boston meeting house.t 



* It is difficult to say positively where this building stood. Some expert antiquary may 
hereafter be able to ascertain the fact by tracing out the points in the following minute. 

Town records March 6. 1637. Our brother Willyam Balstone shall have the remaining 
swampe on the backside of Mr. Coddington's swampe unto the widdow Burton's corner payle 
leaving out twoe rodde and a halfe for eyther of the high wayes that are against it ; the one 
being the way to the mylne and the other to the cove next unto Mr. Coddington's. 

It appears that bncks were made here, from a record Dec. 26. 1636 : Thomas Mount has leave 
to fence in a piece of the marsh before his house for the making of brick. 

t Cambridge received that name at the court in May 1638, in consequence of the College 
being established there, and the college received the name of Harvard In the same year. 
-Hubbard. 237. 430. 

11 



82 lIlSTOltY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Emerging from a sea of dreams 

Tumultuous Young. 

The winter of 1637-8 was very severe and the inhabitants 
of Boston suft'ered extremely for the want of fuel : the snow 
lay four feet and a half deep, from the fourth of November 
to March 23d. Gov. Winthrop relates that a party of thirty 
men started on a fair day (Jan. 13) for the purpose of cutting 
wood on Spectacle Island. The next night a N. E. storm set 
in and Avas followed by two days strong N. W. winds, so that 
the harbour was all frozen over, except a small channel, in 
which twelve of the men found their way to the Governour's 
Garden [Ft. Warren.] Seven more were carried in the ice in 
a small skiff out to Broad Sound, and kept among the Brew- 
ster rocks without food or fire two days. The rest made for 
the main from the island, but two of them fell through the ice, 
and came near being drowned. Of the seven that fell among 
the rocks, all had their hands and feet frozen, some lost fin- 
gers and toes, and one died. On this occasion the Governour 
remarks in a letter to his son, that many were discouraged, 
and the settlement here was well nigh being broken up. It 
was probably in reference to the state of things, which exist- 
ed at this juncture, that Boston acfiuircd the proverbial appel- 
lation of Lost To'ion. 

A voyager of some little note visited these parts about this 
time, and the world has been favoured with his observations, 
under the title of New EnglancVs Rarities. John Josselyn, 
Gent, anchored in the bay of Massachusetts before Boston, 
July 3d. 1C38. The tenth day, says he. 'I went ashore upon 
Noddle's Island to Mr. Sam. Maverick, for my passage, the 
only hospitable man in all the country, giving entertainment 
to all comers, gratis. Havitig refreshed myself for a day or 
two, I crossed the bay [harbour] in a small boat to Boston, 
which then was rather a village than a town, there being not 
above twenty or thirty houses : and presenting my respects 
to Mr. Winthorpe the Governour, and to Mr. Cotton the teach- 
er of Boston church, to whom 1 delivered from Mr. Francis 
Quarles the poet, the translation of the IG. 25. 51. 88. 113. 
137. Psalms in English Metre for his aj^probation. Being civil- 
ly treated by all I had occasion to converse with, I returned 
in the evening to my lodgings.' Josselyn left on the twentieth 
of July for the eastward, where he had a brother, and return- 
ed Sep. 27th. 'Next day I went aboard of Mr. Hindcrson, 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 83 

master of a ship of 500 tons, and Capt. Jackson in the Queen 
of Bohemia privateer, and from thence I went ashore to Bos- 
ton where I refreshed myself at an Ordinary.' He also men- 
tions one Long's ordinary in Charlestown. There were two 
such ordinaries or houses of entertainment in Boston, into 
which if a stranger went, he was presently followed by one 
appointed to that office, who would thrust himself into his 
company, uninvited, and if he called for more drink than the 
officer thought in his judgment he could soberly bear away, 
he would presently countermand it, and appoint the propor- 
tion beyond which he could not get one drop. 

'Oct. 11. our master having been ashore upon the Govern- 
our's Island gave me half a score very fair pippins which he 
brought from thence, there being not one apple tree nor pear 
planted yet, in no part of the country, but upon that island.' 
Several adventures arc described by our author, which would 
do credit to a modern English traveller in America, but con- 
vey no other useful hints, except it be one, that Mr. Maverick 
had in his family an African slave. 

Doubts have been somewhere expressed concerning the cor- 
rectness of Josselyn's statement in regard to the number of 
houses : but he repeats it in another part of his book, and must 
be understood to speak of the framed buildings then in the 
place, and not to have included the mud-wall cottages, ol 
Avhich many yet remained. The number of buildings likely 
to be permanent had become so great as to require such pro- 
visions as these : 

1636. Oct. 4. There shall no house at all be built in this 
town in any of the streets or lanes, but with the advice and 
consent of the overseers of the town's occasions, for the avoid- 
ing of disorderly building, the inconveniences of streets and 
lanes, and for the more comely and commodious ordering of 
them, upon the forfeiture for every house built contrary to 
this order, of such sum as the overseers shall sec fitting, un- 
der the sura of Xs. 

17th. Ilem. John Gallop shall remove his pales at his yards 
end, within 14 days, and shall range them even with the cor- 
ner of his house, for the preserving the way upon the sea 
bank. 

Dec. 10. Not above one dwelling house may be built on any 
one lot, without the approbation of the town's overseers. 

1637. Sept. 25. Special permission is granted to William 
Hudson to set his new building one foot and a half into the 
street, towards the sea side where he dwelleth. 

1640. March 30. We find this remarkable entry: John 
Palmer, carpenter, is allowed to be an inhabitant here, if he 
can get a house, or land to set a house upon, it being not prop- 
er to allow a man an inhabitant without a habitation. 



84 HISTORY or BOSTOX. 

These extracts sufficiently show what many similar records 
corroborate, that our ancestors were not so neglectful of the 
appearance of their town, as we have been in the habit of 
supposing them to have been. 

During the scenes of confusion which formed the subject 
of our two last chapters, the colonists had occasion to exhibit 
their power and courage in a short conflict with the Pequod 
Indians, a tribe inhabiting the parts about Connecticut River. 
Mr. Endicott with a party of 80 men had chastised them in 
the summer of 1636, but the}' remained quiet only while he 
remained abo\it them. In 1637 the three colonies, Massachu- 
setts, Plymouth and Connecticut, agreed to enter the Indian 
country with their joint forces, and attempt their entire des- 
truction. Massachusetts sent 160 men, under the command 
of Capt. Israel Stoughton : of these Boston furnished 26.* 
Mr. Wilson, the pastor of Boston accompanied the expedition 
as chaplain : it fell to his part by lot, and he is represented to 
have gone witii so much faith and joy, that he professed him- 
self as fully satisfied that God would give the English the 
victory, as if he had seen it already obtained. So spirited 
and so prophetick a soothsayer would in ancient times have 
received the highest veneration. His predictions were ac- 
complished and the army returned in triumph, with the loss 
only of one man, August 26, 1637. 

In the next 3'car after this expedition, the Ancient and 
Honourable Anillery company took its rise. The first notice 
of its origin appears in Gov. Winthrop's journal, February, 
1638 : ' Divers gentlemen and others being joined in a mili- 
tary company, desired to be made a corporation, but the 
council, considering from the example of the Pretorian band 
among the Romans, and the Templars in Europe, how dan- 
gerous it might be to erect a standing authority of military 
men, which might easily in time overtoji the civil power, 
thought fit to stop it betimes, yet they were allowed to be 
a company, but subordinate to all authority.' 

Fi'om this note we should infer, that the associates at first 
asked to be created info an independent compan}', which was 
deemed inadvisable. There appears to have been no objec- 
tion to the association for the |iurpo?e of improvement in mili- 
tary tactics, and accordingly we luul the company recognized 
as such in the Colony records of the 1 7th March 1 638 : ' The 
.Military Company of Boston, may present two or three to the 
council to choose a captain out of them.' Also 'Capt. 
Keayne and the Military Company have power to exercise 



* Id the f nmo year Boston Wiis assessed 59/. -U. of a tax of 400/.j These dnta give us some 
idea of the proportion which Boston bore to the whole colony. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 85 

where they please, and to make use of so many of the common 
arms as they need, and a warrant from any of the council is 
sufficient for the delivery of them unto Captain Keayne or 
such as he shall appoint.' The following is a copy of iheir 
charter.* 

ORDERS 
for the Military Company made by the Governour and Council, and confirmed by the General 

Court. 

' Whereas divers gentlemen and others, out of their care of 
the public weal and safety, by the advancement of the milita- 
ry art, and exercise of arms, have desired license of the Court 
to join themselves in one company, and to have the liberty to 
exercise themselves, as their occasions will best permit ; and 
that such liberties and privilegjes might be granted them, as 
the Court should think meet, for their better encouragement 
and furtherance, in so useful an employment ; which request 
of theirs being referred by the Court unto us of the Standing 
Council, we have thought fit, upon serious consideration, and 
conference with divers of the principal of them, to set down 
and order herein as followeth : 

IMPRIMIS. 

We do order, that Robert Keayne^ Nathaniel Duncan^ Robert 
Sedgwick, JViUiam Spencer, Gentlemen, and such others as are 
already joined with them, and such as they shall from time 
lo time take into their company, shall be called the Military 

Company of the Massachusetts. 

SECONDLY. 

They, or the greater number of them, shall have liberty to 
choose their Captain, Lieutenant, and all other officers. Their 
Captain and Lieutenant to be always such as the Court or 
Council shall allow of; and no other officer be put upon them, 
but of their own choice. 

THIRDLY. 

The first Monday in every month is appointed for their 
meeting and exercise ; and to the end that they may not be 
hindered from coming together, we do hereby order, that no 
other training in the particular towns, nor other ordinary 
town meetings, shall be appointed on that day ; and if that 
day prove unseasonable for the exercise of their arms, then 
the sixth of the same week is appointed for supply. This not 



* ' As extracted from the original records of the colony' and published in Whitman's His- 
torical Sketch of the Company — to which the reader is refened for a fund of interesting in- 
formation. Shaw has given a copy which contains the following article between the 3d. and 
4th. ' None of the said Military Company (except such as shall be officers of any other train- 
ed band in any particular town) shall be bound to give attendance upon their ordinary train- 
ings,' 



8G lIlSTOItY OF UOSTO.V. 

to extend to Salem, or the towns beyond, nor to Hingham, 
Weymouth, Dedhani, nor Concord. 

FOURTHLY. 

They have liberty and power to make orders amongst them- 
selves, for the better managing their military aftairs ; which 
orders are to be of force, when they shall be allowed by the 
Court or Council ; and they may appoint an officer to levy 
any fine^ or forfeitures, which they shall impose upon any of 
their own company, for the breach of any such order, so as 
the same exceed not twenty shillings for any one offence. 

FIFTHLY. 

The said .Military Company are to have one thousand acres 
of land, (in some such place as may not be prejudicial to any 
plantation,) to be granted by the Court to some of the said 
company, and such as shall succeed in the same ; to be im- 
proved hy them within a time convenient, for providing ne- 
cessaries for their military exercises, and defraying of other 
charges, which may arise by occasion thereof. 

SIXTHLY. 

The said company shall have liberty, at the time before 
appointed, to assemble themselves for their military exercises, 
in any town within this jurisdiction, at their own pleasure ; 
provided always^ that this order or grant, or any thing therein 
contained, shall not extend to free the said companj", or any of 
them, their [jcrsons or estates, from the Civil Government and 
Jurisdiction here established. 

John Winthrop, Gov. 
Thomas Dudley, Dep. Gov, 

The company was first organized on the first Monday in 
June, 1638 — when Capt. Robert Keayne was elected com- 
mander, Daniel Hough, lieutenant, and Joseph Welde, ensign. 
Of the two last we have no information : C apt. Keayne was 
by profession a merchant tailor, and had belonged to the Hon- 
ourable Artillery Companj' in London. Many important of- 
fices and trusts were committed to his charge, both in town 
and state alTairs. He was a man of large property, was fre- 
quently a representative, and in every plan for improvement, 
or enterprize, his name appears as a patron. 

Nathaniel Duncan, the second person named in the charter, 
was a merchant and lived in Dorchester. Robert Sedgwick, 
the third charter member and next on the roll, belonged to 
Charlestown : he was, says Johnson, stout and active in all 
feats of war, nurst up in the London's Artillery Garden, be- 
sides having the help of a very good head-piece. He was 
the leadei- of the first train band formed in Charlestown, and 
afterwards was promoted to the highest military rank in the 
f;olon3^ ^VilHam Spencer, the fourth and last named in the 



IIISTOKY OF BOSTON'. 87 

charter, was also a merchant and resided at Cambridge. 
Thus it appears the charter was granted to four persons, re- 
siding each in a different town, with their associates, and this 
may serve to correct a mistaken idea, that the company in its 
origin and progress has been confined to Boston. 

It will be observed that the name of this company, which is 
the 'oldest military establishment in the United States,' was 
by their charter the Military Compuny of (he Massachusetts. 
The names of the Artillery' Company, and the Great Artillery, 
and the First Artillery, which were early applied to it, origi- 
nated from the introduction of field pieces into their exercise. 
The General Court recognized the institution by the name of 
the Artillery Company as early as sixteen hundred and fifty- 
seven. 7'he oldest printed sermon, delivered on their anni- 
versary, June 3, 1672, was preached "on the day of the Ar- 
tillery Election." Cotton Mather, in his sermon 1691, in his 
address to the company calls them the Artillery Company. 

Sept. 2, 1700. The title Ancient and Honourable is first 
used in the 'original records.' All the sermons printed down 
to 1708, bear the name of the Artillery Company on the title 
page, but in the sermon for that year they are styled the Hon- 
ourable Artillery Company. This is uniformly the style in 
the title pages until 1738. The address in the sermon for 
1720, uses the appellation Ancient and Honourable, and in 
that for 1 737, the words Ancient and Honourable Artillery 
Company are once introduced. Dr. Colman's century ser- 
mon, in 1738, has in the title page the words "preached be- 
fore the Honourable and Ancient Artillery Company." From 
that period to the present all the sermons are said to have 
been preached before the Ancient and Honourable Artillery 
Company. 

The records of the company do not mention either the 
words Honourable or Ancient until long after these appella- 
tions had been applied to them by the publick. The present 
name appears but once, (in 1762,) previous to the year 1789, 
when the company was revived after the revolution : the 
Legislature in their militia laws have since confirmed it to 
them. It is therefore probable they retained the name of 
Artillery, after they had relinquished the use of field pieces, 
by common consent. The addition of Honourable was made 
by the people, in regard to the many distinguished men, who 
had belonged to and commanded it, and for the great benefit 
and service the institution had rendered to the community. 
This name for the same reason they continue to merit; and 
the term Ancient has been added by general usage since the 
expiration of their first century, with that sort of venera- 



8a HISTOUV OF BOSTON. 

tion which untarnished reputation always ensures to gray 
hairs.* 

In May 1639, the whole military of the Bay were mustered 
at Boston in two regiments, to the number of a thousand sol- 
diers, able men, well armed and exercised. They were head- 
ed the one by the Governour (Winthrop) who was General of 
all, and the other by the Deputy who was colonel. The cap- 
tains and others showed themselves very skilful and ready in 
various sorts of skirmishes and other military actions, wherein 
they spent the whole day.' We notice also another general 
training in Boston, Sept. 15, 1G41, which lasted two days. 
About 1200 men v.ere exercised in most sorts of land service; 
yet it was observed that there was no man drunk, though 
there was plenty of wine and strong beer in the town — not an 
oath sworn, no cjuarrel, nor any hurt done. A more lofty but 
less perspicuous account of one of these military displays, is 
given in a narrative of the first thirt}' years by Old Planters. 
It is said to have taken place at Fox Hill, a spot of rising 
ground, which formerly existed at the bottom of the Common. 
The pomp and circumstance of the exhibition were so striking 
that some people entertained fears, lest offence might be 
taken in the parent country, as if the colonists were (even 
then) looking up to a state of independence. 

AVhilc the soldiery at home were thus improving themselves 
and amusing their neighbours, our seamen were accidentally 
raising the fame of Boston abroad.! The Viceroys of New 
Spain and Peru having advice from the court of Spain, that the 
attempt for finding a Northwest passage, which had been 
tried before by Capts. Hudson and James, was again attempt- 
ed in 1G39 by some industrious navigators from Boston, de- 
spatched Admiral de Fonte to discover and seize them. He 
sailed from Lima on the 3d of April 1640. On the 17th of 
July about lat. 61. N. he came to an Indian town, and the 
natives told his interpreter, that a little way from them lay a 
great ship, where there never had been one before. He 
sailed to the place and found onlj'one man advanced in years, 
and a youth : the man exhibited the greatest skill in the me- 
chanical parts of the mathematics of any that he had ever 
met. They informed him that their ship was of New-Eng- 
land, from a town called Boston. The owner and the whole 
ship's company came on board, and the navigator of the ship 
told the admiral that his owner was a fine gentleman, and a 



* See fVhitmaii's .Skelcb, p. 8—12. 104. Mass. H. >J. 2. ii. ICO. 185. i. xxix. W. W. P. 
cb. xxvi. 

t Memoirs of the Ciiiious, April aud June 17U'J, as quoted in an account of ibe N. W. pas- 
sages, 1748. 



HISTORY OF BOSTGIV. 89 

Major General in the largest colony in New-England, called 
the. Massachusetts. On this he received him like a gentleman, 
and told him his commission was to make prize of any people 
seeking a Northwest or West passage into the South Sea, but 
lie would look on them as merchants trading with the natives 
for beavers and otters and other furs and skins; and so for a 
small present of provisions which he had no need of, he gave 
him a diamond ring that cost him 1200 pieces of eight, which 
the modest gentleman received with dilhcuky; and having 
given the brave navigator Capt. Shapely for his fine chart 
and journals a thousand pieces of eight, and the owner of the 
ship, Seinior Gibbons, a quarter cask of good Peruan wine, 
and the ten seamen each 20 pieces of eight, they set sail on 
a farther expedition. The behaviour of Admiral de Fonte 
evinced great politeness. He might have taken Shapely's 
charts forcibly, but chose to give a considerable price for 
ihem, on pretence that they were curious, when the true 
reason was that they might not be used as guides to others. 

This story is solemnly related by the Admiral with every 
particular, and has been copied into foreign works with the 
remark that the ardour of enterprize at that period seemed to 
have passed from the EngHsh to their colonists at Boston.* It 
probably originated in the following simple fact,t out of which 
the Magnalia makes a story as doleful as the foregoing is im- 
probable. About this time came home a small pinnace of 30 
tons which had been gone eight months and was given up for 
lost. She went to Bermuda, but by continual tempests was 
kept from hence and forced to bear up for the W. Indies, and 
being in great distress arrived at Hispaniola, and not daring 
to go into any inhabited place there, the men went ashore in 
obscure places and lived on turtles and eggs. At last they 
were forced into a harbour, where lay a French man-of-war 
with his prize, and had surely made prize of them also, but 
that the captain, one Petfree, had lived at Piscataqua, and 
knew the merchant of our bark, one Mr. Gibbons : whereupon 
he used them courteously, and for such commodities as she 
carried, furnished her with tallow and hides, and sent home 
with her his prize, which he sold for a small price to be paid 
in New England. 

Mr. Gibbons brought home an Alligator, which he gave to 
the Governour. This may be recollected as the first thing of 
the kind exhibited here ; since which almost every living 
thing has found its way to Boston. 



* See Hist. Gen. de. Voyages, 1757, torn. 15. p. 161. 
i fFinthrop, June 1637. Magnalia 2. 297. 

12 



90 HISTORY OF IJOSTOX. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Tbe house of God 
'I'hey first re-eOify, and for a while 
In nieau estate live moderate Par. Lo/t. 

The temper of these early times is manifest in the continued 
care of the court to guard against extravagance in dress. Mr. 
Cotton's lectures against veils appear to have been soon for- 
gotten. Some of the magistrates imagined that the women 
indulged themselves in too much expense. They accordingly 
conferred with the ministers on the subject, and charged them 
to address themselves to the consciences of their hearers. 
The ministers promised a compliance, but it was found that 
so many of their own and the elders' wives participated in 
the fault, that there could be little hope of reformation through 
this means. 

The appetite as well as the fondness for dress was put 
under restraint. Colony records, Nov. 1637: No person shall 
sell any cakes or bunns either in the market or victualling 
houses, or elsewhere, upon pain often shillings fine, provided, 
that this order shall not extend to such cakes as shall be 
made for any burial, or marriage, or such like special occa- 
sion. 

A lesson on morals may be taken from a circumstance 
which happened in the year 1639. At the General Court 
holden in November, great complaint was made of the op- 
pression suffered by the people in the purchase of foreign 
commodities. Capt. Keayne, who kept a shop in Boston was 
notoriously above others observed, and charged with such 
particulars as these ; for taking in some cases above six pence 
in the shilling profit, in some above eight pence, and in others 
two for one. He was convicted and fined. After the court 
had censured him, he was called to account by the church. 
He acknowledged his fault with tears and bewailed his cove- 
tous and corrupt heart, and a partial defence was set up hy 
him or his friends, on the ground that if a man lost in one 
commoJiiy, he might make it up in another, and that if 
through ignorance a man had given more for an article than it 
was worth in I'.urope, he might sell it for more than it was 
worth in New-Kn"land. 



HISTOY OF BOSTON. 91 

Some of the members were earnest to have Capt. Kcayne 
excommunicated, but Mr. Cotton did not consider his oflence 
to be of that nature which is condemned in the scriptures, 
and he wasexcused with a simple admonition, on the presump- 
tion that his errour was rather in his judgment than in his 
heart: for he was otherwise a Hberal man, very hospitable 
and generous in his contributions towards the church expen- 
ses. What would have been the effect on the mercantile 
character of Boston, if the rigour exercised in this case had 
continued to be exercised to this day, we leave the reader to 
surmise. 

Towards the close of the year 1639, the congregation medi- 
tated the rebuilding of their house of worship. The old one 
which was erected in 1632, not only having become decayed, 
but being also too small to accommodate the people, there 
was no question about the necessity of a new house, but a 
wide and warm difference of opinion respecting V/here it 
should stand. Some of the brethren were for placing it on 
what was then called the green, which was Gov. Winthrop's 
first lot, and he had jdelded it to the church. There is rea- 
son to suppose this was the lot which the Old South church 
now owns, at the corner of Milk and Washington streets. 
Others, particularly the tradesmen, were inclined to build it 
still nearer the market than where the old one stood, lest in 
time it should divert the chief trade from thence. The church 
referred it to the judgment and determination of a committee 
of five, who agreed that it ought to be placed near the mar- 
ket, but still for peace sake they proposed it should be decid- 
ed by lot. When the church met, the matter was debated 
with some earnestness, and at last 3Ir. Cotton thought j^roper 
to express his opinion. He made it clear that it would be 
injurious to remove to the green, as many persons had pur- 
chased and settled round the market in the expectation of 
being accommodated in their proximity to the place of wor- 
ship, whereas it would be no damage to the most to have it 
by the market-place. It was finally determined with a good 
degree of harmony to erect the new- church on the plat which 
is now covered by the block of buildings in Cornhill-square.* 



* We find no records of the dimensions of this house : that it had a gullsi-y is certain, 
and that it was furnished %vith <i bt II is probable from tliese records on the town boolis: 

1643. Blarch 27. Sgt. Johnson and Walter Merry are requested to take ye oversight of the 
boyes in ye galleryes and in case of unruly disorders to acquaint the magistrates there- 
with. 

1649. June 26. * Richard Taylor is appointed to ring the bell at nine of the clock at night, 
and at half past four in the morning, at four pounds per annum.' This may be considered the 
crt'gnn of our nine o''clock bell. 

ningham meeting-house, which is said to have been built on the same model, has a bel- 
t'O' in the centre of the roof. 



92 niSTDKY OF BOSTON. 

The conU'aclors for the work calculated that it would cost 
£600. They look the old house for half that sum, and the 
balance was to be supplied by voluntary contributions of the 
people. The building however cost about £lOOO, yet the ex- 
pense was defrayed without any murmurs or assessment, by 
weekly collections. ' In some other churches,' says the Gov- 
ernour, ' which did it by way of rates there was much diffi- 
culty and compulsion by law to raise a far less sum.' It is 
pleasing to see in this incident how early the people of Bos- 
ton adopted the practice of supporting religion without re- 
course to law. Mr. Cotton had before this time advanced 
the doctrine, that when magistrates are obliged to provide for 
the maintenance of ministers, the churches are in a declining 
condition ; and proved in a sermon that the preachers of the 
gospel should be supported not by lands, revenues and tithes, 
which are the occasion of pride, contention and sloth, but by 
the voluntary contributions of their hearers. Their manner 
of taking these contributions was different from ours at the 
present day. Instead of the deacons passing the box to every 
one, and subjecting all to the tax of a groat or the mortifica- 
tion of a nod, ' theGovcrnour and all the rest' went down and 
put their mites into the box at the deacons' seat. 

The religious society was now in a prosperous state. That 
disaffection which all, save five or six of the members, had for- 
merly manifested towards the pastor and Mr. Winthrop had 
happily subsided, and all was tranquillity and love. A while 
since, these gentlemen were treated with slight as men under 
a covenant of works and as the greatest enemies of the truth. 
But under these suspicions and cool treatment, they had be- 
haved with great meekness, never complaining of unkind usage. 
Though often and strongly solicited to withdraw themselves 
from the communion, they had withstood the solicitation until 
now the odium which was upon them had gradually worn 
away, and they found themselves in possession of the wonted 
confidence and affection of their friends. The Govcrnour in 
particular had a proof of the returning love of the brethren 
when suffering a heavy loss thi-ough the delinquency of one 
Luxford, his bailiff, to whom he trusled the management of 
his farm, and who incurred a debt of £2300 without his know- 
ledge. The whole country indeed sympathized with him; 
the Court gave his wife 3000 acres of land and some of the 
towns sent in liberall}'. 'J"he whole however did not amount 
to ,£600 whereof near half came from lioslon. 

Many of the poor to whom lots were assigned in Mt. Wolas- 
lon, finding it inconvenient to improve their lands there while 
they resided in Boston, petitioned the town for leave to form 
a church at the mount, whicli was eventually allowed on cer- 



HISTORY OF BOSTON^, 



tain conditions. So on Monday tho 16th of September, 1639, 
they gathered a church in the usual manner, and chose Mr. 
William Thomson, a pious and learned minister, \vho was or- 
dained their pastor on the 24th of the same month. Mr. Hen- 
ry Flint was chosen teacher. The chui'ch was the twenti- 
eth formed in the colony. This was a principal step towards 
the final separation, and the erection of a town in that place. 

As early as Dec. 10, 1G36, measures had been adopted to- 
wards accomplishing the separation. ' The Govei-nour (Vane) 
Dep. Gov. (Winlhrop) Mcs:^rs. Oliver, Kcayne, John Newgate, 
Colburn, Coggeshall and Brenton, are chosen to consider of 
the Mt. Wolaston business ; how they may be a town and 
church there with the consent of this town's inhabitants.' On 
Jan. 17th 1640, the consent of Boston was voted in the fol- 
lowing terms. ' It was agreed with our neighbours and breth- 
ren of the Mount, namely, William Cheeseborough, Alexander 
Winchester, Richard Wright, James Pcnniman, Stephen Kins- 
ley and Martin Saunders, in the name of the rest there, for 
■whom they undertake, that they should eive to this town of 
Boston towards the maintenance [of the ministers] thereof 4^. 
an acre for every two acres of the seven acres formerly granted 
to divers y" of Boston, upon expectation they should have con- 
tinued with us : and 3^. an acre for every acre that hath been or 
shall be granted to any others who are not inhabitants of Bos- 
ton. And that in consideration hereof and after that the said 
portions of money shall be paid to this town's treasury of Bos- 
ton, all the said land shall be free from any town rates or 
charges to Boston, and also from all country charges when 
the Mount shall be rated by the court and not assessed with 
the town of Boston ; and upon these terms if the court shall 
think fit to grant them to be a town of themselves they shall 
have free liberty to accept thereof.'" 

Feb. 13, 1640, at a General Court the petition of the inhab- 
itants of Mt. Wolaston was voted and granted them to be a 
town according to the agreement with Boston : provided if 
they fulfil not the covenant, it shall be in the power of Boston 
to recover their due by action against the said inhabitants, 
or any of them, and the town is to be called Braintree. 

In February 1792, the people of the first parish in Brain- 
tree petitioned to be made a distinct town, and were inc^Jrpo- 
rated by the name ofQuincy. This name was adopted in 
honour of one of the earliest and most considerable proprie- 
tors at the Mount. December 14, 1635, a committee of five 
persons were appointed to go to Mt. W. and bound out lots 
for Mr. Edmund Quincy and Mr. Coddington, ' what may be 



See town records June 20, IC^iP. Also Appendix No. III. Wlnthrnp^ Sept. u;36. 



94 HISTORY OF BOSTOiV, 

sufficient for them :' in 1636, March 14, the bounds are re- 
corded. Mr. Coddington appears to have given his to Brain- 
tree for the support ol" schools ; the lot assigned to Mr. Quincy 
remains iu the possession of one of his descendants, the pre- 
sent mayor of the cilj. 

Mr. Quincy was descended from that Sieur de Quincy who 
was one of the English barons that made that noble stand, in 
the yeztv 1215, which obliged King John to grant the Magna 
Charta. He with his wife joined the church in Boston, Nov. 
1633 : within a short time five servants belonging to his fami- 
ly also became members. He was a representative in 1634, 
and died here, aged about thirty-three. His son Edmund 
who was born in 1628, settled in Braintree and was a gentle- 
man of distinction among the fathers of that town: he died 
Jr.n. 7, 1698, leaving a son Edmund, who was born and resid- 
ed at Braintree, and was a bright ornament and eminent ben- 
efactor of that town and of his country.* 

Hubbard pronounces the ten years which were now (1640) 
closing, the golden age of New-England, when vice was crush- 
ed as well by the civil as saci-cd sword, especially oppression 
and extortion in prices and wages. A remarkable instance 
was given in one F. P. who for asking an excessive price for 
a pair of stocks which he was hired to frame, had the honour 
to sit an hour in them first himself.t Women were not ex- 
empt from publick notice. One for reproaching the mag- 
istrates was condemned to be whipped, and bore her pun- 
ishment with a masculine spirit, glorying in her suflering. 
She was a woman of abilities fai' before Mrs. Hutchinson, 
but she was poor and had little acquaintance. The free ex- 
pression of her thoughts brought her again into difficulties for 
speaking against the elders, and she was obliged to stand half 
an hour with her tongue in a cleft stick. Church discipline 
reached to still nicer points : one brother ' having purloined 
out of buckskin leather brought unto him, so much thereof as 
would make three men's gloves, to the scandal of sundry 
without as well as of his brethren, and also having been by 
some of the brethren dealt with for it, did often deny and for- 
swear the same, and was therefore cast out of the church.' 



* Hancoch^s ceutuiy sermon, 1739, rr-p. ICll, and sermon on ilealh of lion. Kilnmnd Quin- 
cy, 1738. ElioCi Biog. Diet. 

t Sec I/uibind, 24S, 27ft Enunon's Hist. Sketch, CO— 67. mnthrop's Jo. Dec. lt!38, 
SfjU. aod .Nov. 1W9. I'cb. i610. ^A«u', 239. Muss. H. C. 1. s. 2. 



HISTORY or uosTox. 95 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Let discipline employ Iier wholesome arts ; 

Let magistrales alert perform their parts, 

Let active laws apply the neeaful curb, 

To guard the peace that riot would disturb. — Cowper. 

From the lime of a permanent establishment of a house of 
deputies or representatives in 1634, to the court of election in 
1639, Boston had the privilege of sending three members. At 
that court, May 22, in consequence of the increase of the 
number of deputies with the increase of the number of towns, 
it was determined for the convenience both of the country and 
the court, to reduce all towns to two deputies. The expenses 
were at that time paid out of the public treasury. This alter- 
ation excited some suspicions. Many were jealous that it 
was a plan of the assistants and magistrates to keep the num- 
ber of deputies on a nearer equality with their own; and the 
people in some towns were highly displeased with their re- 
presentatives for consenting to the measure. A motion was 
made in the next session to return to the former rule ; but 
after long debate, the order was confirmed, and the reasons for 
it, and answers to the objections against it, were recorded, and 
sent to such towns as were dissatisfied. From that period 
until 1680, Boston sent only two deputies. 

An incident occurred in Boston, hardly worthy of notice, 
which gave rise to a change also in regard to the Assistants. 
A thoughtless pig strayed from its owner, one good Mrs. 
Sherman; and, her husband not being at home to look after 
the creature, it wandered through the town, breaking into 
every body's corn as its hunger dictated. About the same 
time a stray pig was brought to Capt. Keayne, who had it 
cried a number of days, and many people came to see it, but 
no one would claim the property. He kept it in his yard for 
nearly a year with a pig of his own. At the proper season 
the captain had the latter killed. This was no sooner done 
than forward came Rlrs. Sherman, and claimed the dead pig 
for hers, because she found that the living one had other 
marks : she went so far as to accuse the captain of wilfully 
killing her pig. The matter made so much noise that the 
church investigated it and were satisfied of his innocence. 



96 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

The woman however was instigated to bring the cause before 
an inferior court at Boston: there again Capt. Keayne was 
cleared, and the jury gave him £3 for his costs, and in an 
action brought by him against her and her instigator for 
defamation, he recovered £20 damages from each. 

This result so vexed Story, a London merchant, who was 
the woman's adviser, that he searched town and country to 
find matter against Capt. Keayne about this stray pig. At 
last he prevailed with one of the captain's witnesses to go into 
Salem court and confess that he had forsworn himself. 
Upon this he petitioned the General Court, in June 1642, to 
have the cause heard again, which the court granted and 
spent the best part of seven days in examining witnesses and 
debating the case. Yet when the question was put to vote, 
no decision could be obtained; for no sentence of law could 
pass without the consent of the majority, both of the deputies 
and of the magistrates, and here were thirty deputies and nine 
magistrates, of whom two of the magistrates and fifteen of the 
deputies were for the plaintiff', and seven of the magistrates 
and eight of the deputies for the defendant, and seven deputies 
standing neutral. There had been great expectation in the 
country that the case would terminate unfavourably to Capt. 
Keayne. It happening otherwise, many took occasion to speak 
disrespectfully of the court, especially of the magistrates, and 
to attribute the hindrance of the course of justice to their ex- 
ercise of a negative voice upon the doings of the deputies. 
Some were of a mind that this power of a negative should be 
taken from the assistants. Nothing was effected at this time, 
but occasions of altercation becoming more frequent, and the 
deputies being dissatisfied that their votes should lose their 
effect, by the non-concurrence of the magistrates who were 
so much fewer in number, a formal attempt was made in 
1644, to diminish or destroy the power of the latter. Mr. 
Winthrop and the assistants maintained their right with so 
much firmness, that the efibrt was unavailing ; and it was 
therefore moved by the deputies, that the two houses might 
sit apart, and from that time votes were sent in a parliamen- 
tary way from one house to the other, and the consent of both 
■was necessary to an act of court. Provision was made for 
some cases in which, if the two houses differed, it was agreed 
that the major vote of the whole should be decisive. This 
was the origin of our present Senate. 

Mrs. Sherman's pig might have been forgotten in the great- 
er interest excited by the difficulties it produced. But she 
possessed perseverance superior to that of Amy Dardin, in 
more modern times, and at length the captain yielded to the 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 97 

advice of friends, and relinquished the living pig to the wo- 
man, for the sake of the publick peace.* 

The Boston church enjoying harmony within itself could 
not forget its members, who had left their places in the Anti- 
nomian controversy. Jn March 1640. they sent a deputation 
of three gentlemen to Rhode Island, with letters to Mr. Cod- 
dington and the rest, to inquire into their opinions on certain 
points of doctrine formerly maintained by them, and also to 
demand that they should give an account of themselves to this 
church, for their unwarrantable practice of communing w iih 
excommunicated persons. When the messengers arrived, 
they found that these people had formed a church among 
themselves, and had the independence to refuse to hear the 
messengers as such, or to receive the Boston letters. ^^ hen 
the result of the mission was submitted to the church, the el- 
ders and most of the church were disposed to pass a vote of 
exclusion against them, ' but all not being agreed, it was de- 
ferred.' Mr. Emerson observes, the mission was worse than 
useless : it served to foment a party spirit at home, and to ex- 
asperate the minds of those for whose benefit the measure was 
intended. 

In the year 1640, Mr. Dudlej' was chosen governour, and 
Mr. Bellingham, deputy-governour, Mr. AVinthrop. the former 
governour, being elected an assistant. The election in 1641, 
notwithstanding the number of votes was great, was determin- 
ed in favour of Mr. Bellingham for governour (Mr. "W'inthrop 
being his competitor) by a majority of six votes only. Mr. 
Endicott was chosen deputy-governour. It was disputed 
whether they fairly had the majority, because the votes of 
some persons were refused, who it was thought had a right 
to vote. Mr. Winthrop was silent, though he believed himself 
injured. 

The revolutions which were now taking place in England 
excited the attention of the colonial government, and it was 
determined to send three agents thither, to congratulate the 
parliament on their successes, and to be ready to improve 
any opportunity which might offer for the advantage of the 
colon}'. The mien selected for this purpose were Rev. Messrs. 
Weld and Peters, and Mr. W' illiam Hibbins. The two for- 
mer never returned to America. Mr. Hibbins was a princi- 
pal merchant in the colony, and w'as the first town treasurer 
of Boston whose name appears on record.! 



- Hutch. Hist. ch. 1. Winthrop, June 1642. March 1644. Town records, Sept. 17, 1638. 
31 r. Winthrop's account would lead us to infer that Capt. Keayne repaid the 3?. costs, 
which was all that he received of the woman ; the pig was worth forty shillings. 

i Town records. April 27, 16J0. 5Iass. H- C. 1. x. 30. 



98 



HISTORY OF BOSiOX. 



In the years 1G40 and 1643, Mr. Winthrop was chosen 
governour and i\Ir. Endicott, deputy. In the latter year, the 
colony of Massacliusetts was divided into four counties, Essex, 
Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk. 



Essex contained 


MiddUser. 


Suffolk. 




Norfolk. 


Salem 


Cbarlestown 


Boston 




Salisbury 


Lynn 


Cambridge 


Roxbury 




Haverhill 


Enon (Wenhnin) 


Watertown 


Dorchester 




Hampton 


Ipswich 


Sudbury 


Dedham 




Exeter 


Rowley 


Concord 


lira in tree 




DoFcr 


Newbury 


Woburii 


Weymouth 




Strawberry-Bant 


Gloucester 


Medford 


Ilingliani 




(Portsmouth) 


Chochickawick 


Lynn Village 


Kantasket 


(Hull) 





The four last towns are now in New-Hampshire. 

At the election in 1644, Messrs. Winthrop and Endicott ex- 
changed places ; the latter being chosen for governour, and the 
former for deputy. This success of Mr. Endicott was pecu- 
liarly gratifying to 'those of Essex.' Salem had become a 
I very flourishing place, and it was a favourite object with Mr. 
Endicott to have that town considered the capital of the state. 
The Essex deputies had introduced a measure at the court 
previous, by which the deputies of the several counties were 
directed to meet in the recess and prepare such business as it 
might be necessary to transact. Under this order they came 
prepared, and introduced two bills, the object of which was to 
aggrandize their own section of the country by drawing 1. 
the seat of government thither : 2. the courts : and 3. a good 
part of the country stock. They also proposed, 4thly, that 
four of their neighbourhood should be joined in commission 
with the magistrates. ' They had made so strong a party 
among the deputies of the smaller towns, (being most of them 
mean men, and such as had small understanding in affairs of 
state) that they easily carried all their points among the depu- 
ties. But when the two b'ills came up to the magistrates, 
they discerning the plot and finding ihem liui'tful to the com- 
monwealth, refused to pass them. A committee from each 
house was appointed to consider the reasons of both sides, and 
then the opinion of the upper house prevailed :' ' Boston be- 
ing such a convenient mart for business, and other circumstan- 
ces concurring to increase its population, obtained the prefer- 
ence,' and thereafter ' all hopes were renounced that Salem 
would become the capital of New-England.* 

We shall find the authorities here acquiescing under every 
change of government which occurred during the civil wars 



Winthrop^ June 5, KM J. Mass. Hist. Coll. 1. »i. 232—231. Eliut. Uiog. Diet. 195. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 99 

in England. The parliament prevailing this year, the Gene- 
ral Court passed an order which contains the following article ; 
* what person soever shall by word, writing or action, endea- 
vour to disturb our peace directly or indirectly, by drawing a 
party under pretence that he is for the King of England, and 
such as join with him against the parliament, shall be account- 
ed as an offender of a high nature against this common-d-ealth, 
and to be proceeded against cither capitally or otherwise ac- 
cording to the quality and degree of his oficnce.' A provision 
was annexed that this order should not be extended against any 
that came hither merely for purposes of trade. Very soon after 
the passing of this order, a London ship of 24 guns, Gapt. 
Stagg, arrived at Boston with a cargo of wine from Teneritie. 
A Bristol ship of 100 tons, laden with fish, lay in the harbour 
at the same time. Captain Stagg said nothing of having any 
commission, but as soon as he had landed the principal part 
of his wine, he suddenly weighed anchor and sailed round to 
Charlestown, placed his ship between that town and the Bris- 
tol ship, and moored himself abreast of her. He then order- 
ed the master of the Bristol ship aboard, showed him a com- 
mission, turned up a half-hour glass, and demanded that he 
should surrender bj^ the time the glass was out. The Bristol 
captain retui'ned to his own vessel and stated the case to his 
men ; two or three of them were for fightins:, and would rather 
have blown up the ship than have 3'ielded,but the greater part 
thought best to secure their propert}- and wages, which Capt. 
S. promised them, as well as their lives, and the ship was 
therefore surrendered. 

In this half hour's time a great many people were gathered 
upon the AVindmill hill (Copp's hill) to see the issue, and as 
was very natural, some who had an interest in the prize ship 
(especially a Bristol merchant, a very bold malignant, in the 
phrase of the times) began to collect a mob and raise a tumult. 
But some of the inhabitants, apprehensive of serious consequen- 
ces, seized the said merchant and some others that were stran- 
gers and brought them before the deputy, Mr. AVinthroj), who 
put them under guard in a room at a publick house. Others who 
belonged to town he committed to prison, and sent the consta- 
ble to require the people to disperse. Capt. Stagg was im- 
mediately called to account, and produced his commission 
from the parliament, which was found to give him sufficient 
authority to make prize of all Bristol vessels in any port or 
creek. 

Great excitement was produced by this occurrence. Some 
of the ministers partook of the common feeling, and in their 
sermons inveighed against the captain, and exhorted the mag- 
istrates and all concerned to maintain the people's liberties, 
which they said were violated by this act. Many were of 



100 HlSTOllY OF HOSTON. 

opinion that Capt. Stagg should be compelled to restore the 
ship ; but the majority of the magistrates were of a different 
opinion, on the ground that it would seem like an opposition 
to parliament. For this and other reasons of state, the cap- 
tain was suffered to enjoy his prize. The merchants who 
were interested in the property on board the Bristol vessel 
petitioned to try their right by an action at law, which was 
granted: but when the governour and six other magistrates 
(for the governour did not send for such as dwelt far off) and 
the jury were assembled, the merchants were persuaded not 
to insist on the case being submitted to the jury, but to refer 
the decision of the whole matter to the court of admiralty, 
before which the case must necessarily come. Thus an affair, 
which in its outset threatened to produce no small trouble, end- 
ed peaceably. 

There was a speck of liberty discernible in the part which 
the Boston people took in this affair. An occasion of a differ- 
ent kind occ(]rred in 1646, in which they manifested their love 
of freedom more conspicuously. There had been an assem- 
bly of the ministers and elders in 164 3, for the purpose of 
discountenancing an attempt at Newbury to establish some 
things in the presbyterian way. It probably was a voluntary 
meeting, and Mr. Cotton of Boston acted as one of the mode- 
rators. In 1646, a synod was called by the General Court, 
to discuss, dispute and clear up such questions of church gov- 
ernment and discipline as they shall think needful and meet, 
and to continue so doing till the major part of them should be 
agreed upon one form of got mment and discipline, which they 
judge agreeable to the holy scriptures, to be presented to the 
court for their approbation. It was of course intended that 
what this synod should decree, and the court approve, should 
become the law of the land and binding on the churches. 
Some of the deputies saw this and opposed the proposition. 
It was demonstrated that no new powers were assumed ; but 
out of regard to the scruples of some members, it was agreed 
that the synod sliould be convoked by a vote recommending 
it to the several churches to send delegates, and not by a pos- 
itive order. 

But, says Mr. Hubbard, whatever gentle words the order 
was sweetened withal, some of the churches could not swal- 
low it : the principal men who raised objections were some 
lately arrived from Englarid, where a vast liberty was allowed 
by the pai'liamcnt, which had also sent orders to the West In- 
dia colonies, that all men should enjoy their liberty of con- 
science, and had by their letters also intimated the same to 
those of Nevv-l<^ngland. Some few of the church in Boston 
adhered to these principles, which made them stickle much 
against the calling of this synod. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOIV, 101 

This few formed about three-sevenths of the acting mem- 
bers of the church; they were intluencod in a great degree 
by the opinion of Mr. Cotton, and their opposition to the mea- 
sure was so determined, that they presented three formal ob- 
jections to it ; that the interference of the court was unneces- 
sarj^ that the order originated with the ministers, and that 
the decisions of the synod would be binding on the churches, 
without their own consent. A motion was however made 
that the church should send its proportion of delegates, and 
after two Sabbath days' debate, it was carried in the affirma- 
tive b}- a vote of forty against thirty. Here arose a great 
difficulty : some members were in favour of proceeding to se- 
lect and send their delegates : but the church had heretofore 
done all business by unanimous votes, and it would have 
grieved many to see so important an act as this, carried into 
operation on a bare majority. To relieve the difficult}*, some 
one proposed that the whole church should attend and see for 
themselves : but this would appear singular and perhaps be 
thought disrespectful. Some external impulse was necessary 
to bring the matter to a conclusion. Mr. Norton, then of Jps- 
wich, was at hand, and he was procured to supply the pulpit 
as Boston, upon a lecture day, where was a great audience, 
and he handled his subject so aptly, and with so much strength 
of reason and argument, that on the next Sabbath the Boston 
church agreed to send their elders and three of the brethren 
as messengers to the synod. 

This assembly met at Cambridge and had several adjourn- 
ments until October 1648, when its sesssion terminated. Its 
labours principally consisted in compiling what is called the 
Cambridge platform, which together with the Westminster con- 
fession they recommended to the court, and which for a long 
time continued to be standard authorities in the congregational 
churches in New-Ensland.* 



* Huhbard, 532. Ba.-l->,s, i. 1S5. Mac^alia, ii. ISl—Emenon, 31. Mass. H. C I. x. 0—2. i. 
J 95. 



102 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 



CHAPTER XVIir. 

'' Great prince and father of our State, receive 

The well-earn'd honours that thy Rome would give." 

In the beginning of the year 1649, Boston siifiered a mourn- 
ful loss in the death of Govcrnour Winthrop. From the first 
moment of placing his foot on the peninsula he had been its 
firmest friend. His resolute perseverance in opposition to Dud- 
ley's plan of establishing the capital at Cambridge, laid the 
foundation of Boston's greatness, and the endeavours of Endi- 
cott and his party to obtain the same honour for Salem, were 
rendered unavailing through the wisdom and prudence of Win- 
throp. He. was one of the earliest Selectmen and frequently 
served on that board. In almost every event of any moment 
•we find him bearing part, and except for one short period he 
was an oracle and favourite with the people. Or, as Cotton 
expresses it, he was their friend in all things by his counsel, a 
a help for their bodies by physick, and in their estates by 
law. 

Governour Winllirop was born at the family mansion house 
of his ancestors, at Groton in Suflblk. June 12, 1587. Hav- 
ing been educated to the profession of law, he was made a 
Justice of the peace at the age of eighteen, and soon became 
conspicuous for his many virtues. In his profession he was 
exemplary as an upright and impartial magistrate, and in his 
private character he manifested the traits of a devout and 
practical chrislinn. He had the wisdom to discern and the 
fortitude to perform what was right in executing the duties of 
his office; and as a gentleman was remarkable for liberality 
and hospitality. These qualities rendered him dear to men 
of sobriety and religion, and fitted him to engage in the great 
and difficult work of founding a colony. 

Previous to his embarking for New-England, he converted 
a fine estate of six or seven hundred pounds sterling per an- 
num into monej', which he expended principally in the ser- 
vice of the plantation. His time, his stutl}', his exertions, his 
influence and his interests, were all employed in the publick 
service. He maintained the dignity of a governour with the 
obliging condescension of a gentleman : his wisdom, patience 
and magnanimity were conspicuous in the most severe trials. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOIV, 103 

and his chrislian-like behaviour added splendour to all his 
rare qualifications. 

He was a pattern to the people of that frugality, decency, 
and temperance, which were necessary in their circumstances, 
and even denied himself many of the elegances and superflui- 
ties of life, which he had enjoyed elsewhere. This he did 
both that he might set others a proper example, and be the 
better enabled to exercise that liberality in which he delight- 
ed. His charity indeed was unbounded. ' He would often 
send his servants on some errand, at meal limes, to the houses 
of his neighbours to see how they were provided ^vith food, 
and if there was a deficiency would supply them from his own 
table. He mingled with his sterner virtues a happy portion 
of well-timed wit. In one of the very hard and long winters 
which he endured in this climate, a man came to the gov- 
ernour with a private complaint that a needy person in the 
neighbourhood stole wood sometimes from his pile. ' Does 
/if,' said Mr. Winthrop, ' call him to me and I will lake a course 
zoith him, thai shall cure him of stealing.'' The man appeared, 
trembling under the terrours of the law. ''Friend,'' said the 
governour. ' it is a very cold season, and I doubt you are but 
poorly provided ivith wood: you are, zcelcome to supply yourself at 
my pile till the zmnter is over.^ 

But though condescending and gentle on every occasion of 
personal ill treatment, yet where the honour of government or 
religion and the interests of the people were concerned, he 
was e(iually firm and intrepid, standing foremost in opposition 
to those whom he judged to be really publick enemies. He 
defended the course he had pursued in Mrs. Hutchinson's 
case, on the ground which he maintained on all occasions : 
' I have acted according to my conscience and my oath, and 
by advice of the elders of the church, and am fully satisfied 
that it would not have been consistent with the publick peace 
to have done otherwise.' 

His political opinions were not so favourable to the demo- 
cratical forms of government as were those of some of the 
wise and good men with whom he was associated. On this 
subject he has left us these remarkable words ; ' the best part 
of a community is always the least, and of that best part the 
A\'iser is still less.' His ideas of the right of a publick oihcer 
to exercise his own judgment are thus conveyed : 'When you 
choose us magistrates, the covenant between us and you is, that 
we shall govern you and judge your causes according to the 
laws of God and our best skill ; and as for our skill, you must 
run the hazard of it : if there be an errour, not in the will, but 
in the skill, it becomes you to bear it.' 

Mr. Winthrop, before he left England, was of a more catho- 
lick spirit than some of his brethren. After he came to America 



104 HISTORY ()¥ KOSTON. 

"he yielded somewhat to the reigning spirit of intolerance, but 
as he advanced in life he resumed his ibrmer moderation, and 
in the time of his last sickness, when Dudley pressed him to 
sign an order for the banishment of a person who was deemed 
heterodox, he refused, saying, that he had done too much of 
that work already. 

He met with much affliction in his family, having buried 
three wives and six children. These and other troubles join- 
ed with the opposition and ill treatment he frequently received 
so preyed upon his nature, already worn by the toils and hard- 
ships of planting a colony in a wilderness, that he perceived a 
decay of his faculties and often spoke of his dissolution as ap- 
proaching, with a calm resignation to the will of heaven. A 
fever occasioned by a cold, after one month's confinement, 
put an end to his life on the 26th of March 1649, aet. G2. 

Gov. Winthrop's house stood on the spot occupied by the 
South Row, about opposite to School street. It was of wood, 
two stories high, and was demolished by the British in 1775. 
His remains were deposited in the family tomb, on the north 
side of the Chapel burial ground. His portrait is preserved 
in the Land Office at the State House. He is judged to have 
been about six feet high, not corpulent, long favoured, with a 
dark blue eye, high forehead, long beard, and dark hair, 
which he wore in the form of a natural wig. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

"See wide dominions ravished from the deep, 
And changed creation takes its face from man." 

We consider the death of Gov. Winthrop to have complet- 
ed an epoch in the history of Boston. The town had then 
been settled about nineteen years; its population had become 
so numerous that the}'^ were meditating the formation of a new 
church: the necessities of the place and the conveniences it 
afforded for trade, had given occasion for extensive improve- 
ments in the construction of wharves, and other expedients to 
enlarge the facilities for domcstick and foreign commerce : a 
foundation was laid for the publick instruction of youth, and a 
rcgulai" system of police established. Wc propose to give in 
this chapter a view of the progress of these improvements. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. J 05 

The features which in sixteen hundred and thirty were 
most prominent on the face of Boston have now disappeared. 
The hill at the north, rising to the height of about 50 feet 
above the sea, presented then on its northwest brow an ab- 
rupt declivity, long after known as Copp's hill steeps. Its 
summit, almost level, extended between Prince and Charter 
streets towards Christ's church. Thence south a gentle slope 
led to the water, which washed the south side of Prince 
street below, and the north side above Thacher street as far 
as Salem street. Eastward from the church, a gradual de- 
scent led to the north batterj, which was considered the bot- 
tom of the hill. South-easterly the slope was still more grad- 
ual, and terminated at the foot of the north square, leaving a 
knoll on the right, where at present stands the meeting-house 
of the Second church. 

This hill was the spot selected for the site of the first wind- 
mill used in the colony, when it was brought down from Wa- 
tertown, in August 1632, because it would not grind there but 
with a westerly wind. Hence it obtained the name of Windmill 
hill. Most probably it was at some period called Snow hill ; 
but about the time of the revolution in 1775, it bore the name 
of Copp, which it retained so long as any portion of it was 
left standing. 

William Copp was the earliest proprietor of that portion 
of the hill which latterl}' bore his name. This appears from 
the following record in the first book of possessions. 

" The possession of William Copp within the limits of Boston. 

" One house and lott of halfe an acre in the Mill field bound- 
ed with Thomas Buttolph southeast : John Button northeast : 
the marsh on the southwest: and the river on the northwest." 

Copp's hill was at one time in possession of the Ancient 
and Honourable Artillery Company. In 1775 the common 
was occupied by the British troops, and that company was re- 
fused admittance there to perform their exercise and evolu- 
tions. Major Wm. Bell, who was then commander, therefore 
marched the company to Copp's hill. Some years after, a 
question arose in town meeting, ' to whom this hill belonged:' 
some one said, ' to the Ancient and Honourable.' Col. Jo- 
seph Jackson, their treasurer and past commander, was sent 
for, and declared that he considered it their property, a mort- 
gage upon it to them having long since run out, and that Capt. 
Bell, with the company, had taken possession of it in 1775. 
Capt. Bell was then interrogated by Col. Thomas Dawes, the 
moderator. Why did you march your company to Copp's 
hill ? Answer. I was prohibited from entering the common, 
14 



i06 HISTORY or UOSTON. 

conceiving this hill to be the property of the company, I 
marched them there, as a place no one had a right to exclude 
them from. Question by moderator. Supposing a party of 
British troops should have been in possession of it, and should 
have forbidden you entrance, what would you have done ? 
Answer. I would have charged bayonets, and forced my 
"way, as surely as 1 would force my way into my dwelling 
house, if taken possession of by a gang of thieves. The 
late Col. William Tudor, who was then present, said, ' Mr. 
Moderator, The hill clearly belongs to that company, and I 
wish they would execute a quit claim of it to me for a fair 
price.' The mortgage was afterwards discharged. 

The British left a small fort standing on this hill, (near the 
southwest corner of the burial ground,) which remained a fa- 
vourite resort for the recreation of school-boys, until the im- 
provements commenced in 1807, that have terminated in the 
levelling of the hill, and the erection of buildings on its sum- 
mit and base.* 

Lynn-street and Ann-street, as far south as Richmond- 
street, occupy what was the foot of ^Vindmill hill on the sea- 
board. The land between Richmond-street on the north, and 
Portland and Elm-streets on the south, was a narrow neck, on 
either side of which was a spacious cove. Southerly from 
Richmond-street, Ann-street probably follows the shore, till 
we reach the Mill creek, where a natural inlet commenced, 
which extended to and covered what is now Hatter's square. 

As near as can be ascertained the name of ' the cove'' was 
applied to all the water which flowed between the head of 
Hancock's wharf and the bottom of State-street. All the 
records of possessions north of the former speak of the sea 
or the bay (as Jos?el3'n railed it) for the bounds on the north 
and east. Then comes Thomas Joy who has the cove south- 
Avest ; ]\lr. 7'homas Clarke next has it south, which probably 
was at the foot of North-square, (for some time called Clark's 
square.) Southerly from him various owners have the cove 
southeast, east and north till we come to Edward Tyng, who 
has the bay on the cast, and the cove on the north. 

The western extremity of this, which we will call the mar- 
ket-cove, has of late years been known as the Town dock ; it 
was formerly called Bcndall's dock, from Edward Bendall, 
who owned a lot near the head of it. His deed gives him the 
cove north and east, which bi'ought him not far from the cor- 
ner of Dock-square opposite the Sheep-market : a creek is 
mentioned near his new house, April 1639. The water flow- 
ed near to the foot of Brattle-street. The whole of Dock-square 

• fmtman''i hisl. sketch, p. 6G. fVinthiop^s Journul. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



107 



and Market-square, and the west side of Union-street as far as 
Creek lane, and all east of that to the Mill creek were daily 
covered by the tide. 

Between the inlet, which now forms the Mill creek, and the 
principal arm of the cove, there was a narrow point of low 
marsh projecting, in the form of a triangle. This was an- 
ciently granted to Mr. Bellingham. In 1644 he sold one half 
to Christopher Lawson, and the other half in 1G46 to Joshua 
Scottow, who in 1650 appears also to have purchased of 
James Everill another portion of the same marsh, which was 
the identical spot on which lately stood the triangular ware- 
house. 



THE TRIANGULAR WAREHOUSE. 




-^^a.- 



TIEW TRO-M S. E. CORNEE, OF FANEUIL-HAI-L. 



The origin of that singular building is involved in a happy 
obscurity, which has given rise to much curious speculation.^ 
It stood at the head of the Town dock, as it was in July last, 
on the north side of the same. It occupied precisely the 
space marked by the small triangle, which is to be seen in 
square He on our plan for 1824, and opposite to the swing 
])ridgc, which is shewn on the plan for 1722. It measured on 
the side facing the dock forty-eight feet : on Roe-bnck passage 
iifty-onc, and on the back side fifty-five feet. It was built of 
brick, on a stone foundation, and had a slated roof. There 
were two principal stories in the building with a good 
cellar underneath. The lower story appeared to have been 
arched, with vcrv manv doors nnd windo'>vs. On each cor- 



108 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

ner, and in the centre of the roof there was a tower, such as is 
represented in the plate, topped with a ball. The centre ball 
was of wood ; the others were of stone, all fixed on iron spires 
set in lead. Conjecture has made this edifice to have been a 
fort built for the protection of the town, or a custom-house 
for the accommodation of government ; there is, however, 
good reason to believe that it was not erected for any publick 
purpose, but that it was built about the year 1700, by London 
merchants, for a commercial warehouse. It had been a place 
of considerable business and for some time the publick scales 
for weighing large draughts were kept there. Of late years 
it had been occupied for minor purposes, until August last, 
when it was taken down to make room for the great improve- 
ments commenced in the vicinity of the market. It was con- 
structed with great strength, the bricks were of a larger size 
than those now used, and the foundation stood upon a sandy 
marsh ; beneath which there is found a solid blue clay, at 
about thirteen feet below the level of Ann-street. 

State-street was a primitive highway. The owners on both 
sides, about 1640, can be traced. Edward Tyng before men- 
tioned, owned the North-east corner, which, as we suppose, 
was the South-west corner of Mcrchants'-row. William Hud- 
son, senior, held a house and yard at the lower end on the 
south side, which appears to have been the only lot between 
the corner of that street and the commencement of Mr. Win- 
throp's marsh, which afterwards came to be known by the 
name of Oliver's dock. This lot was probably situated near 
the corner of Kil by-street now occupied b}- the New-England 
bank. From between that corner and the bottom of Milk- 
street, a cove run up westward as far as Spring-lane, where 
there was a remarkable spring. Mr. Winthrop's garden lay 
on the south side of that lane, and was said to be bounded 
north with the springate. Mr. llibbins lay cast of him, hav- 
ing also the springate north. 'J'hcn came John Spoorc, w'ho 
liad ' the creek' north, and the niai'sh cast of him. These 
three lots bring us down to the block between Congress and 
Kilby (late Adams) street. Passing the intervening piece of 
marsh, (or water course,) we then have three lots which have 
the marsh slill on the north, and at ihc water side have John 
Compton's house and garden ' bounded with the cove on the 
cast and the fort-hill on the south.' The lots on the north 
side of S|)ring-lano and Water-street are all said to be bound- 
ed south, either l)y the springate or the marsh. 

We have taken the pains to trace out the above points on 
the original records, to show how accurately tradition and the 
memory of our aged citizens agree with the facts thus ascer- 
tained. 'I'hcy substantiate the account in Shaw's description, 
w hich we here insert. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON". 109 

' Oliver's Dock., not many years since, came up to Kilby- 
street. A lish-shop owned by Mr. Solomon Hevves, used to 
stand over the water, and parallel to the street. On the side 
of the dock stood the famous stamp office, occupied by Lieut. 
Governor Oliver. This small building was tumbled into the 
water by the patriotic mob in 1765, and with it was over- 
thrown the scheme of taxation which led to the revolution. 
The building, now (1817) occupied as a grocer's shop, by J. 
Welsh, stands on the same spot. 

' The greater part of Quaker-lane (Congress street,) ismade 
land. An aged gentleman, who lived near the spot, says that 
when the foundation of Joy's buildings was preparing, the 
remains of the hull of an old vessel, or large boat, with frag- 
ments of canvass, and tarred rope, were dug up : which shews 
the place had been once used for a graving yard, or some 
similar purpose. A relative of our informant, remembered 
when lighters and boats came up the creek (then so called,) 
as far as the -^vheat sheaf, now the estate of Mr. Kendall, the 
baker. On the spot now covered by the corner of Joy's 
buildings, stood a shop, improved by one Kent, a tanner. His 
tan-yard was in the rear, and in front was a wharf, for the 
accommodation of his small vessels. This was one branch 
of the creek. 

' Anoiher branch may be traced thus : — A Mr. Marshall 
remembered, when a boy, smelts were caught at the head of 
the creek, near the meeting-house in Federal-street, where is 
now the drain and common sewer. A man descended in this 
some years ago, and groped his v/ay under ground, till he 
came out at Oliver's dock. — Here were a number of cooper's 
shops ; the workmen used to soak their hoops in the water, 
now covered by an oyster shop, and buildings occupied by 
painters and others. From a view of the ground, there is 
reason to believe that the greater part of Congress-street, the 
whole of Kilby-street, and Liberty-square, are built on flats 
once covered by salt water. In nolicing the great storm and 
tide, in 1723, the writer says, " we could sail in boats from 
the southern battery to the rise of ground in King-street." 

' Anoiher aged inhabitant states, that he has seen a canoe 
sail, at different times, over the spot which now makes the 
corner of Congress and Water-streets ; and thinks he has 
seen the water three feet deep in Federal-street. He remem- 
bers having heard Dr. Chauncy sa}', that he had taken smelts 
in the place, now improved as a garden, belonging to the es- 
tate of the late Judge Paine, in Milk-street, [at the west cor- 
ner of Federal-street.] 

'Passing on southerly from the bottom of Milk-street to 
B;iitery-march, 3^ou walk over a spot, which was formerly oc- 
cupied by Mr. Hallowcll as a ship-yard. — Where the Custom- 



> 



110 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

house, and the adjoining stores now stand, vessels of great 
burthen have been built ; and a large and beautiful ship, com- 
pletely rigged, owned by Capt. Fellows was launched there, 
within the recollection of many now living. 

' In very high tides the water has flowed up to the corner 
of State-street, formerly called the Admiral Vernon tavern, 
now occupied by Mr. Sumner as a crockery store. At the 
bottom of this street not many years since, logs were dug up 
it) a sound state, which, from the knots and remains of the 
boughs, must have been felled near the spot.' 

The grocery shop mentioned in this account stood at the 
corner of Kilby-strect, which makes the north-east corner of 
Liberty-s(juare, being very near the centre of H h. Joy's 
buildings are on the west side of Congress-street, corner of 
Water-street. The southern branch of the creek covered a 
part of the lower end of Pearl-street, and extended across 
the Atkinson estate, which lay between Pearl and Atkinson- 
streets, as appears on an ancient plan deposited in the Athe- 
naeum, and is also evident from the course of the larger drain. 
The head of the creek reached towards Summer-street, and 
in very high tides, has nearly united with the water from 
South-street at the late Mr. Ehcnezcr Parsons' garden, now 
Winthrop-place. In digging for the foundation of the very 
elegant stone stores recently erected by Watcrston, Pray, & 
Co. at the corner of Kilby and ^V^ater-streets, it w^as necessa- 
ry to pass through marsh and dock mud, and the tide water 
daily filled the trenches, imtil the discovery that it was all let 
in by one aqueduct log. The Admiral Vernon tavern noticed 
by Shaw, was at the corner of Merchants'-Row. 

From the south-east margin of this, v.hich we will call the 
middlc.-covc^ the eiistern hill commenced its ascent, and ex- 
tending gradually to the south and west rose to the height of 
80 feet above the sea. Its eastern side was also a ragged cliff, 
that seemed placed by nature in front of the entrance to the 
harbour for the purposes of defence, to wlich it was very 
soon applied, and from w hich it obtained i'.a present name of 
Fort-hill. It was before called Corn-hill. Southerly and 
westerly it slopes towards Purchase and Atkinson, and down 
High-street to the foot of Summer-street. 

The estates cast of High-street had the bay on the cast, 
and when we arrive to the lots now in South-street and Essex, 
they are said to have the cove on the south, which we call 
the .soutlicrn cove Windmill point at the bottom of Sea-street 
makes one limit of this cove, and South Boston the other, with 
Dorchester and Roxbury south, and the nock on the west. 

' 'I'he nei;l< now so called within the limits of Boston is one 
mile and lliirly-nine yards in length. A pjrt of it has been 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX, 111 

greatly widened and improved by building, and the whole ex- 
tent has been raised by art above its original level : other- 
wise the neck has undergone but little alteration. It is hard- 
ly necessary to state that the neck has been overflowed in 
many parts, within the recollection of people now living.' 

On the west side of the neck we have the receiving basin of 
the mill-dam, and as we advance north from that we enter 
Charles River, which washes the western shore of the penin- 
sula, and empties itself into the bay between Copp's hill and 
Charlestown. There its breadth is about 600 yards: towards 
the south part of the town it widens into a bay of considera- 
ble extent, but the channel becomes narrow and innavigable 
by large vessels at low tide. Formerly also there was a 
spacious cove on the Boston side, still nearer the mouth of 
the river. This afterwards became the mill pond by the 
erection of the causeway from Prince-street G c to Leverett 
street D d. The waters of ' the mill cove'' came up to the 
south-west side of Prince-street below Thacher-street, where 
they took a turn northerly and up towards the bottom of 
Snow-hill-street. The northerly end of Thacher-street lay 
open till within a very few years. The south side of Prince- 
street above this spot was marsh, and so was the west side of 
Back-street. A causeway was also erected on this side, for 
the convenience of passengero to the mill ; it lay east of the 
present site of the First Baptist meeting-house, and opened a 
few rods east of Thacher-street. 

Until 1807, when the mill pond began to be filled up, about 
c-ne half the Baptist meeting-house mentioned stood over the 
water, and the margin of the pond ran in a south by west line 
to the south mills, which stood at the entrance on Mill-pond- 
street, near the furniture warehouse of Mr. Beals. Verging 
thence a little more westerly, it passed across Union, Friends' 
and Portland-street tov/ards the bottom of Hawkins', whence 
it took a westerly course across Pitt's and Cooch-strcet to the 
entrance from Leverett-street, which at one time bore the 
name of Mill-alley. Not far from this spot we find the record 
of a ' small creek,' as the west bounds of an estate, Alexan- 
der Beck's, which had ' the cove north, and John Leverit 
south,' from whom Leverett-street has probably derived its 
name. 

The descent to the water here was very steep. The south- 
west side of Leverett-street, opposite this opening, stands on 
rising ground from which we may commence our ascent to 
one portion of the chief of the three hills. A street was 
early laid out in the vicinity, if not in the very course of 
Temple-street, and those among us not very old can well re- 
member Beacon hill steps, which stood at the head of it, to 



112 HISTORY OF BOSTOxV. 

conduct us Id a spot that \vc shall ever recollect with pleasure 
and regret. 

The top of this beautiful hill was 138 feet and a half above 
the level of the sea. It aObrded ' an extensive and most en- 
chanting prospect of tlie country round,' and of the islands 
in the harbour. The spirit of speculation has in an evil hour 
laid it low, and posterity must satisfy themselves with a dull 
description instead of enjoying the reality. 

Beacon hill with its two eminences embraced about a hun- 
dred acres of ground, extending through the centre of the 
peninsula, from the river to the coves. The view given in 
page 4G, exhibits as exact a representation of its original ap- 
pearance seen from Charlestown, as we have been able to ob- 
tain. Probably it was better wooded. Of late years, while 
it laid open as a pasture ground for cattle, the barberry and 
the wild rose grew upon it. The eminence almost contiguous 
to Beacon hill on the east, was rather higher than that on its 
western side. It reached towards Tremont-street (lately so 
called) and thence with a very slow descent in three di- 
rections led to the Springate, the Market cove, and the 
Mill pond, through Sudbury -street. The grounds occupied 
by the gardens of Messrs. Phillips, Green, and Lloyd, we 
conjecture to have been ' the three little rising hills,' from 
wdiich arose the name of Tr&A-Mounf, as the street was first 
officially designated in ITOS.'-"" 

The westernmost eminence or left shoulder of this hill, as 
Johnson might call it, making no unapt comparison of the 
three to the head and shoulders of a man, was farther from 
the beacon, and occupied what is now called Mount Vernon. 
The highest points were probably between Sumner and 
Pinckney-strects, giving an easy descent towards Cambridge- 
street on the north, and a more rapid one to Beacon-street 
south. On the toj), directly opposite the Charles-street meet- 
ing-house, there was, and continues to be, a boiling spring, 
which is now open in three phices, at a height not less than 
eighty feet above the water. The west side of this hill ap- 
pears to have been rough and precipitous, though several 
streets are now constructed over it, which aflbrd a more gen- 
tle, if not entirely safe approach to the river. 

' A certain writer, in mentioning this river, cjuaintly says, 
the subject is dry though zvuUrij : and is not considerable, 
otherwise than in settling the south line of the Massachusetts 
colon}--. It is, however, worthy of particular description, in 
an account of Boston.! 



* MiscoUaiiiPs in Tibrary of nistorical Society. 

t See AA«u', |). tiO,70, 73, 81, 101, 111!. IVi,uh,o}>, May, 1632. Ualth Survey, p. 20. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 113 

' The source of the principal branch of this river, is a pond, 
bordering on Hopkinton. It passes through Holliston and 
Beilingham, and branches of it divide Mcdway from Medfield, 
Wrentham and Franklin, Dover from Sherburne, and passing 
in a north-easterly course through the S. E. corner of Natick, 
it there turns to the eastward, and separating Needham and 
Dover, pursues its way into Dcdham; where at about nine 
miles from Boston, a stream called Mother Brook runs out of 
this river into the Neponset, and forms a sort of canal between 
the two. From this place the course of the Charles is north- 
erly between Needham and Newton to the bounds of W eston, 
whence bending eastward it separates Weston and Waltham 
from Newton. FVom the south-east corner of Waltham, it has 
Watertown and Cambridge on the north, Newton, Watertown 
(at the village), Brighton and Brookline on the south, till it 
reaches the harbour of Boston. The junction of the Charles 
and Neponset by the medium of I\Iother Brook, forms a beauti- 
ful island of the towns that lie within them, to wit, Brookline, 
Brighton, Newton, part of Dedham, Dorchester, Roxbury 
and Boston. These rivers are interrupted by several elegant 
falls, and afford a number of seats for mills and manufactories. 

Besides the hills and water spots mentioned there was one 
of each, of which nothing now remains to be seen ; Fox hill 
which is delineated on our old plan at the bottom of the com- 
mon, and the town's watering place, which was afterwards 
called • the pond,'' on the north side of Bedford-street, near 
the opening into Chauncy-place. It is most likely that ' Mr. 
Coddington's swamp' was situated in that vicinity, farther 
down the street. There was also a considerable extent of 
marsh on the north side of Cam.bridge street below Blossomt 
street. The plans of the town so late as 1796 exhibit no 
land west of a line from the foot of Centre, (No. 69 in Bf,) to 
Brighton street, in B d. 

An enumeration of the islands in the harbour will now com- 
plete our design of bringing into one view the original appear- 
ance of Boston. The following table was made in 1793 by 
that distinguished antiquary Mr. Thomas Pemberton, with 
great care. ' The distances are from actual survey according 
to Des Barre'h excellent chart. Although not all the islands 
in the table belong to Boston, the propriety of inserting it en- 
tire will be manifest. The bay or harbour extends from 
Nantasket to Boston, and spreads from Chelsea to Hinsrham, 
containing about 7.5 square miles. It is bespangled with up- 
wards of 100 islands or rocks, and receives the waters from 
Mystick, Charles, Neponset and Manatticut Rivers, with sev- 
eral other smaller streams.' 

1,5 



lU 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



Islayids and Rocks 



Distance from 
Long If^harf, 
Bos toil. 



In what place. 



Apple Island . - . . 

Aptborp's, a part of Calf 
Island 

Bird Island. Soil washed 
away, but dry at low 
water ...--- 

Great Brewster. Contains 
about 25 acres. A high 
cliff, towards the sea ; it 
is lessening every year. 

Bliddle Brewster. Rocks, 
with a small portion of 
soil ------- 

Outer Brewster - - - - 

Bumkin Island - - - - 
Button Island - - - - 

Calf Island. Arock,covcr- 
ed in some parts with soil. 

Castle Island, (Fort Inde- 
pendence) - - - - - 

Chandler's Island, called 
Langley's, in DesBarre's 
Chart 

Deer Island. AVasting to- 
wards the sea, and gain- 
ing on the inside, and at 
the East point - - - 

Egg Rock. A bare rock. 

Gallop's Island - - - - 

George's Island - - - 

Governour's Island, con- 
taining about 70 acres - 
Grape Island - - - - 

Graves. Bare rocks - - 

Green Island. Itock, cov- 
ered with soil in most 
parts ------ 

Half Moon Itland - - - 

A small Island - - . - 
Hangman's Island - - 



2 3-1 miles. 



8 


-4 


9 


-4 


11 


1-4 


7 3-4 


2 


1-3 


10 3-4 



8 3-4 
6 

6 1-2 
1 7-S 

8 7-8 

9 1-4 

7 7-8 

C 1-8 

4 3-4 

5 7-8 



Betvv'een Snake andGreen 
islands - . . . - 



Boston. 



Between Noddle's and 
Governour's island 

Between Lovell's and i 
Light-House island 

Between the Great and 
Outer Brewster - - 

East from the Middle 

Brewster . - . - 
Between Nantasket and 

Little Ilog island - - 
Between Sailor's island 

and liingham - - - 
Between the GreatBrews- 

ter and Green island - 
Between Thomson's island 

and Boston - - - - 
Between Bumkin island 

and liingham - - - 

Between Shirley point 
and Lovell's island 



East from Liglit-IIouse 
Between Lovell's and 

Kainsford's islands 
Between Lovell's and 

Pettick's islands - - 
Between Deer and Bird 

islands - - - - - 
Between Bumkin island 

and Weymouth - - 
E. by N. from Green 

island ------ 

Between Calf island and 

the Graves rocks - - 



Between Nut island and 

Squantum . . - - 

Near Half Moon island - 

Between Pettick's and 

Moon islands - • - 



Hull. 



Hull. 
Hingbam. 

Hull. 

Boston. 

liingham. 

Boston. 



Hull. 
Boston. 



Hull, 



Dorchester. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON'. 



115 



Islands and Roclcs. 



Distance from 
Long /> harf, 
Boston. 



Situation, 



In rvhut place. 



Harding's Rocks. Visible 

at low water - - - . 

Hog island - - - . . 



Little Hog island - . - 

Light-House Island. Rock, 
with 3-4ths of an acre of 
soil. A bar, dry at low 
water, connects it with 
the Great Brewster 

Long island - . - - . 

lovell's island - - - . 
Moon island 



10 3-4 miles. 
2 1-2 „ 



Nick's Mate. Nearly wash- 
ed away by the sea 

Noddle's, or Williams's 
island ...-.- 

Nut island. Joins the 

main at half tide - - 

Pettick's island - - - 



Rackoon island - - - - 

Eagw-ed island - - - . 
Rainsford island - - . 

Rainsford rocks - - - 

Sailor's island. Called 
Sarah's island in Des 
Barre's chart - - - 

Sheep island 



Slate island - - - - - 

Snake island . . - - 

Spectacle island - - - 

Sunken island - - - . 

Thomson's island - - - 

A small island Marsh in 

Mystick river . . - 

Shirley point - - . . 

Alderton point - - . - 



■1 3-1 
G 1-4 

4 3-4 

5 3-4 
3-4 

7 1-4 

6 7-8 



10 3-4 „ 

5 7-3 „ 

6 

8 3-8 „ 

9 3-8 „ 
3 1-4 „ 
3 5-8 „ 
6 1-12 „ 

3 1-2 „ 
2 1-4 „ 

4 1-2 „ 
9 1-2 „ 



S. E. 1-2 S. from the 
Light-House . - - 

Between Noddle's island 
and Chelsea - - - - 

Between Nantas'iiet and 
Bumkin island - - - 

S. G9 deg. E. 

Between Toint Alderton 
and the Middle Brews- 
ter 



Between Nick's Mate and 

Spectacle island - - 

Between Long island and 

the Great Brewster - 

Between Thomson's and 

Hangman's islands 

Between Long island and 

Gallop's island - - - 

Between Boston and Hog 

island ------ 

Between Pettick's island 

and Germantown - - 

Between George's island 

and Braintree Great 

Head 

Between Sheep island and 

Germantown - - - 

Near Chandler's island - 

Between Gallop's and 

Hangman's islands 

S. S. W. from Rainsford 

island --..-. 

Between Bumkin island 

and Hingham - - - 

Between Bumkin and Pet- 
tick's islands - . - 

Between Bumkin island 
and 'WeyDiouth river 

Between Apfile island and 
Shirley point ... 

Between Castle and Long 
islands ..... 

Between Long island and 
Pettick's island - - 

Between Mood island and 
Dorchester .... 

Near Maiden bridge - . 



Boston. 

Hull. 

Hull. 

Boston. 

Boston. 

Dorchester. 

Boston. 

Boston. 

HulL 

Quinoy. 

Hingham. 
Hull. 



Boston. 
Boston. 



Dorchester. 
Charlestown. 



Chelsea. 
Hull. 



116 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XX. 

It would be no unprofitable thing for you 

to pass over the several streets and call to mind zrho lived here so many years ago. 

Increase Mather. 

Shaw introduces the above quotation from a lecture preach- 
ed in 1693, entitled theBostonian Ebenezcr, and adds ' who 
dops not re2;ret that the learned preacher has not given us 
the result of these profitable inquiries? Retrospection lingers 
with melancholy delight on the spot to which talents and 
learning and piety once gave importance.' Presuming that 
our readers partake in some degree of this feeling, we have 
been the more minute in our researches regarding the early 
period of our history. We have incidentally noticed the 
places where Cotton and Winthrop and Vane resided. The 
book of possessions to which we have referred, enables us to 
point out those of other eminent characters, about the period 
of 1645. 

Gov. VVinthrop''s neighbour on the opposite corner of the 
springate was Elder Thomas Oliver, who iVom several notices 
in the town records and in the Governour's journal, appears 
to have been an experienced and skilful surgeon. He came 
to Boston quite earl}"", and was a right godly man, and his 
wife also a very godly woman that could bear the severest of 
afflictions with much patience and honour.* Elder Thomas 
Leverett, who prior to his removal hither had been an ancient 
and sincere professor in Mr. Cotton's congregation in England, 
had his house and garden on the east side of the old meeting- 
house, with the street on the north, and the marsh of Mr, 
Winthrop on the south, 'i'hat part of Congress street north 
of Water street was long called Lcverett's lane or street, in 
remembrance of him. He was father to John Leverett, 
who bee une a very distinguished man in our annals. This 
last resided at the south-east corner of Court street. 

His next neighbour on the south was Richard Parker or 
Brackett, whose name we find on the colony records as 
prison keeper so early as 1630. He had ' the market stead^ 
on the east, the prison yard west, and the meeting house on 
the south. The other corner of Cornhill square, which used 
to be called Church square, was owned by Valentine Hill, a 



* Magnalia, ii. 30fi. Winthrop. Jan. 9, 1653. Sept. J7, 1041. Town Records, Sept. 1641. 
Jan. 1647. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 117 

man of eminence in town affairs. From these data Ave ascer- 
tain the fact, that the county prison was originally located ahout 
the spot where the jail lately stood, and that the spot now oc- 
cupied by the Old State-house was the ancient market-place. 

Mr. Coggan, who set up the first shop in Boston, lived on 
the north side of the market, at the corner of State street. 
He probably purchased of Mr. Wilson the minister, who own- 
ed north and east of him. On this lot Mr. Wilson had a house, 
two gardens, a barn and a yard : out of this he sold a lot of 
45 feet in front, between him and Mr. Coggan, to John Da- 
vies, which makes it quite likely that his dwelling house was 
very near the new Branch bank, and that Wilson's lane takes 
its name from him. W^e may be perm.itted to add the hope 
that the name will always be retained. It can do posterity no 
harm to be reminded that there were good men, though it may 
be irksome to imitate them. 

Capt. Keayne lived on the other corner of State street, op- 
posite the market-stead : Major (so they called Major Gene- 
ral) Edward Gibbons' dwelling house, with other housing and 
a garden, were situated on the bend opposite the lower end of 
Market street, so as (o give him the street on the west and the 
north. William Pierce owned an estate, extending from State 
street north to the cove, in the direction of Flagg alley, which 
a long time bore his name. Samuel Cole, who in the name 
of Richard, figures so demurely by the side of his wife in the 
Peep at the Pilgrims, lived on the west side of Merchants' row, 
mid-way from State street to Faneuil Hall, and there kept his 
tavern; which it will be remembered was the first in the town. 
and which Lord Lei2;h declared was so well regulated, that he 
could be as private there as he could have been at the Gover- 
nour's own house.* 

Capt. William Tyng, sometime treasurer for the country, had 
a house, one close, a garden, one great yard and one little 
yard before the hall ivindoics, bounded with Mr. Richard Bel- 
lingham and the street that goes to the dock southwards. This 
sets him on the tongue of land between Brattle and Washing- 
ton streets, now known as Market Row, and gives Mr. B. an 
estate about the end of Market street. The latter probably 
resided there, but he had also a garden plot next but one to 
Mr. Cotton's on Common (late Tremont) street. 

Mr. Henry Dunster, first president of Harvard college, 
owned the north east corner of Court street. Daniel Maud, 
one of the earliest schoolmasters, lived next south of Mr. Cot- 
ton, now the noble mansion of Lt.Gov. Phillips. The corner 
of Beacon street opposite the chapel was Mr. Coggan's estate, 
and had then the burying place adjoining it on the east. On 

* fVinthrop, June, 1637. 



118 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

the other side of this burial ground, fronting south on School 
street, was the house and garden of Thomas Scottow, joiner, 
who, in Feb. 1644, was appointed to superintend the graves, 
gates and fences. He and iMr. Richard Hutchinson divided 
the north side of School street. Zaccheus Bosvvorth lived at 
the corner on the west end, and those southward of liini had 
the common on their w'cst. The south-cast corner of School 
street was the estate of Mr. Atherton Hough, (sometimes spelt 
Hofte :) he was often a representative of the town in the gene- 
ral courts. His neighbour on School street was Arthur Perry, 
worthy of note as town drummer on all important occasions. 
His services entitled him to a salary of £o in 1G38, and pro- 
vision was made in 1643, for the instruction of such as were 
candidates to become his successors. A barber hy the name 
of Francis Lisle* kept opposite to where the Old South stands, 
and three doors above him was William Aspinwali, who was 
a notary publick and recorder, after his return from banish- 
ment. His estate extended from the main or high street, to 
the common, and we find the name of Bomsted near him. 

At the south-east corner of Winter street was the widow 
Jane Parker, and on the opposite corner, Robert Blott. 
Boylsion market place belonged to an Oliver, and the opposite 
corner to Robert Wing. Deacon Colburn westward oi'whom 
there were six lots. Belcher, Taimagc, Snow, AValker, Brisco, 
Flacke, lived on the high street at the northerly corner of 
Elliot sti-eet, and deacon Jacob l^liiot, from whom the street 
derived its namo, was his neighbour on the south corner. We 
find no private properly south of this : and the next allotment 
on the cast side of the high street was Garret Bourne's, at the 
head of Essex street, but so far down as to give him the cove 
on the south. His next neighbour was ICdward Rainslbrd, 
whose name is still retained for the lane tiiat was afterwards 
opened in the vicinity of his estate, tiritliih Bowen was on 
the north corner of Essex street, and ]\Ir Thomas Fowle's 
possession was one house and garden five estates north of him. 
Robert ^Voodward lived at the south and Thomas Wheeler at 
the north corner of Bedford street, the latter having the lane S. 
the high street W. the xcatering place E. and Wm. Blaintaine 
N. who also had the watering place cast. The widow Eliza- 
l)eth Purion lived at the south-west corner of Summer street, 
and Nath. Woodward, sen. who had a numerous family, op- 
posite to her. Robert Rcinolds owned the corner of IVlilk 
street opposite the OKI South, and two estates below him was 
Nath. Bishop, from whom came the name of Bishop's alley, 
once appropriated to Hawley street. 



* It U not ccrUiii wbvllirr be »ns llir barber- ckit-urfton, ulio lost bit life in a snow storm, 
while on Ills way lo Hoxbury to draw > toolh. XV. W. V I). 2. ob. 15. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 119 

Jeremy Houchin, who was a tanner by trade, was located 
at the corner of Hanover and Court streets (Concert hall) 
and had his tan-pits and tan-yards there. Down that side of 
Court street were the families of Makepeace, Thwing, Joshua 
Scottow, (of whom we have a memoir in the fourth volume of 
the Hist. Coll. 2d. Series.) Beck, Brown and Biggs. Thomas 
Marshall, who was a shoemaker besides being ferryman, 
owned a lot which falls near the block between Union street 
and Marshall lane. He had the street S.W. and N. W. and 
the marsh south-east : the extent of his lot was about half an 
acre. At the north end the whole sea board was lotted out^ 
beginning at the mill creek and following the shore to the 
north end of Snow-hill-street : we shall have occasion to name 
the families hereafter. Sudbury street was occupied on both 
sides, and lots extending from the cove on the north to the 
lane (Green st.) on the south were improved with dwelling 
houses and gardens as far as ' Mill alley.' The rest of the 
north and west parts of the town was owned in large lots, 
said to be in the mill field and new field. Among others we 
notice Thomas Buttolph who had about five acres in each of 
those fields, an acre and a half between Essex and Bedford 
streets, besides his house and garden midway between Market 
and Court streets. The name of Buttolph street may proba- 
bly be traced to him. Capt. Christopher Stanley was also a 
large owner of estates in various parts, and was Buttolph's 
neighbour on the north. Ensign Thomas Savage at one 
time owned in the same neighbourhood, and a litde above 
them Capt. Thomas Hawkins, which last had also an estate 
in the vicinity of the street that bears his name. Near Fort 
hill we find among others the names of Richard Gridley and 
Edward Belcher. Part of Purchase street formerly was 
called by the name of the latter, and we have now in that 
quarter a Gridley lane. 

These researches have informed us of the number and ex- 
tent of most of the high ways, which existed at the period of 
twenty years after the settlement of the town. The first or- 
ders on record upon this subject were passed in October, 
1633: we have given some extracts on page 83, and shall be 
the more copious here, to save the laboin- of future inquirers. 

There was a high wa}^ sometimes called the high street, 
laid out from the head of the dock to Mr. Colburn's field, 
a little south of Elliot street, and beyond that was the 'foot 
way unto Samuel Wilbours field next Roxbury.' On the 
east side of this high way Essex street v/as laid out, but had 
no particular name : so was it with Bedford street, which was 
afterwards called Pond-street, with reference to the watering 
place to which it led. Summer street and High street had 
the name of Mill street or lane, because they led to the widow^ 



120 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Tuttle's mill. Milk-street was called the Fort street, it being 
the thorough fare from the high street to the works at Fort 
hill. State street is called the Water street in Mr. Wilson's 
deed. Court street as far as Market street had the name of 
Gentry hill street. From the chapel burial ground north and 
from Market street west to the bottom of Sudbury street, the 
way was known as Sudbury street, doubtless in reference to 
the part of England from which many of the Boston people 
emigrated. In March 1640 it was ordered that the street 
from Mr. Hough's to the Gentry hill should be kept open for- 
ever : this was School street and part of Beacon street. 
Winter, Boylston and Elliot streets were at that time lanes. 
The first hasat some period borne the nameof Blott's lane, from 
Robert Blott, the first proprietor of one of the eastern corners. 
Hanover street north from the mill-creek, and also 
Marshall's lane, we think are described in the following pro- 
vision: 1636, October. 'The streete waye from the gates 
next James Everill's, toward the Mylne, is to runne straight 
along in an even line to John Pemberton's house, and to 
rainge betweene Thomas Marshall's house and Serjeant Sav- 
age's, and to bee within the street betweene payle and payle 
on each side, two poles broad.* 

' A laync to goe from cove to cove, between Thomas 
Paynter and Thomas Marshall's, one pole and a half between 
payle and payle.' 

We can trace nothing of Hanover street farther north : in 
a deed from Thomas Glarke of Dorchester, merchant, to 
Ghristopher Stanley we find something like the original of 
Fleet and Tileston st. though it surprises us to see one of them 
'thirty six foote broad unto (he lowermost highway and from 
thence to low water marke thirty foote,' whereas the other 
' going towards the mill hill,'' was only twelve foote. This 
lowermost highwa}^ was Ann Street ' upon the sea bank,' and 
before Walter Merry's at the North battery it was 16 ft. 
broad. It followed the shore, as we have supposed, to the 
mill creek inlet, and was completed in the following order. 

'The land at the head of the cove, round about by John 
Glover's, Geo. Burden's, Hugh Gunnison's, Gapt. W. Tyng's, 
Wm. Franklin's, Robert Nash's and eight foot to eastward of 
it, is high way — as also from the eastward side of the 8 feet, 
and round al)Out by the corner of Edw. Bendall's brick house, 
and so by S. Gole's house, as also to E. Tyng's wharf 



* itjLJj. Dtc. ■!. Ordered, a fence to be made between the two necks. 



HISTORY OF 150ST01V. 121 

shall go a high way of twenty foot.'* Here E. Tyng had a 
house, yard, warehouse and brew-house. 

There was also a passage way of seven foot, up from the 
creek near Bendall's to the lower part of Mr. Keayne's gar-. 
den at his mud-wall house, in 1639, which probably answers 
to Wilson's lane or Exchange street. And there Avas a lane 
by the old meeting house : Henry Webb, a merchant who 
lived at the corner had the market place north, and on the 
east the old meeting house and the lane, which terminated at 
the Springate or high way by the spring. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

^' Full were our cities with the sons of art, 
And trade and joy in every busy street 
Mingling were heard." 

' Straits and difficulties,' says Hutchinson, " at the beginning 
of the colony had produced industry and good husbandry, and 
then they soon raised provisions enough for their own support, 
and an overplus for exportation. We hear but little of trade for 
the first seven years, except a small traffick with the natives, by- 
barter of toys, and the few utensils, tools and clothing they at 
first thought necessary, in exchange for furs and skins. What 
the planters brought with them consisted principally of mate- 
rials for their buildings, necessary tools for their husbandry, 
stock for their farms, and clothing for themselves and fami- 
lies ; and those who had more estate than was sufficient for 
these purposes, were country gentlemen, unacquainted with 
commerce, and never employed themselves in it. People in 
general turned their minds to provide comfortable lodgings, 
and to bring under improvement so much land as would afford 
them necessary support, and this was enough to employ them. 
After a few years, by hard labour, and hard fare, the land 
produced more than was consumed by the inhabitants ; the 
overplus was sent abroad to the West-Indies, the Winc-lslands, 
and other places. Returns were made in the produce of the 
respective countries, and in bullion, the most of which, togeth- 
er with the furs produced from the natives, went to England, 



"■ Town Records, Feb. 1649. The precise location of Glover, kc. is less certain than that 
of almost any other persons, whose names occur to us. We conclude they were situatecit 
.-ilong Union street and Dock square, and accordingly have ventured to express oureelv68 
Jhijs in refining the extent of thn dock. 



122 UlSTOUY OF liOhTOX. 

to pay for the manufactures continually necessary from 
thence. As hands could be spared from husbandry and la- 
bour in providing their houses, they were taken off, and some 
employed in sawing boards, splitting staves, shingles and 
hoops, others in the fishery, and as many as were capable of 
it, in building small vessels for the fishery, and for coasting 
and foreign trade. Thus gradually and insensibly they seem 
to liave fallen into that trade most natural to the country, and 
adapted to their peculiar circumstances, without any premed- 
itated scheme, or projection for that purpose. Their prima- 
ry views in their removal, were the enjoyment of civil and 
religious libert3\ Merchants and others, for the sake of gain, 
when they saw a prospect of it, afterwards came over, and in- 
corporated with them, and caused a great increase of com- 
merce, and led the legislators to measures for the further im- 
provement of it. For encouraging the fishery, an act was 
made in 1G39 to free all estates, employed in catching, making 
or transporting fish, from all duties and public taxes, atid all 
persons were restrained by a penalty from using any cod or 
bass fish, for manuring the groimd ; and all fishermen during 
the season for business, and all ship-builders, were by the 
same act excused from trainings. 

' In the year 1642 the House of Commons passed a memora- 
rable resolve in favour of the Massachusetts colony, contain- 
ing this ordinance: " that all merchandizing goods, that by 
any person or persons whatsoever, merchant or other, shall 
be exported out of this kingdom oft^ngland into New-England 
to be S|>ent, used or employed there, or being of the growth 
of those colonies, shall be from thence imported hither or 
shall be laden or put on board any ship or vessel for neces- 
saries in passing to and fro, and all and every the owner or 
owners thereof shall be freed and discharged of and frorti paying 
and yielding any custom^ subsidy, t((xation or other duty, either 
inward or outicard.^^ It had, however, this proviso, " until 
the House of Commons shall take further order therein to 
the contrary." ' 

Johnson's account of the extent of our commerce and its 
beneficial efiects is too lively to be omitted. ' Those,' says he, 
' who were formerly forced to fetch most of the bread they eat 
and beer they drank a thousand leagues by sea, are through the 
blessing of the Lord so encreased, that they have not only 
fed their elder sisters, Virginia, Barbadoes and many of the 
Summer islands, that were preferred before [them] for fruitful- 
ness, but also the grand mother of us all, even the fertile isle 
of (Ireat Britain. Beside, Portugal hath had many a mouth- 
ful of bread and fish from us, in exchange of their Madeira 
liquor, and also Spain; nor could it be imagined that this wil- 
derness should turn a mart for merchants in so short a space. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX, 123 

' Many a fair ship had her framing and finishing here, be- 
sides lesser vessels, barques and ketches. Many a master, 
beside common seamen, had their first learning in this colony. 
Boston, Charlestown, Salem and Ipswich, our maritan towns, 
began to increase roundly ; especially Boston, the which of a 
poor country village, in twice seven years is become like unto 
a small city and is in election to become a ma\'or town sud- 
denly, chiefly increased by trade by sea. 

' All other trades have here fallen into their ranks and pla- 
ces, to their great advantage ; especially Coopers and Shoe- 
makers, who had either of them a Corporation granted, 
enriching themselves by their trades very much, Cooj^crs hav- 
ing their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate and by reason of 
trade with foreign parts abundance of work. As for Tanners 
and Shoemakers, it being naturalized into these occupations, 
to have a higher reach in managing their manufactures, then 
other men in N. E. having not changed their nature in this, 
between them both they have kept men to their slander liith- 
erto, almost doubling the price of their commodities, according 
to the rate they were sold for in England, and yet the plenty 
of Leather is beyond what they had there, counting the num- 
ber of the people, but the transportation of Boots and Shoes 
into foreign parts hath vented all however : as for Tailors, 
they have not come behind the former, their advantage being 
in the nurture of new-fashions, all one with England ; Car- 
penters, Joiners, Glaziers, Painters, follow their trades only ; 
Gun-smiths, Lock-smiths, Blacksmiths, Nailors, Cutlers, have 
left the husbandmen to follow the plough and cart, and they 
their trades; Weavers, Brewers, Costcrmongers, Fellmakers, 
Braziers, Pewterers and Tinkers, Ropemakers, Masons, Lime, 
Brick, and Tilemakers, Cardmakcrs^ to work and not to plaj^ 
Turners, Pumpmakers, and Wheelers, Glovers, Feltmongers, 
and Furriers, are orderly turned to their trades, besides 
divers sorts of Shopkeepers, and some who have a mystery 
beyond others, as have the Vintners.' 

It would be wrong to pass unnoficed the exertions of Hugh 
Peters towards exciting a commercial spirit. ' He went from 
place to place, labouring both publickly and privately to raise 
up men to a publick frame of spirit,' and induce them to en- 
gage in the fishing business and tbreign commerce.* It was to 
his influence that Salem owed her first glory, and his counsel ad- 
vanced her to that rank in commerce which enabled her to dis- 
pute preeminence with Boston when local advantages gave su- 
periority to the latter. 

The first page of the record September 1, 1634, speaks of 
' a common landing place between the creeks' and contains an 



iVin'.hrop, Nov. 1G3-5. May 1633. Mass. H- C- 1. tI. 258. 



124 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

order for keeping the same clear of all annoyances.* The nu- 
merous shipping which visited Boston from Holland, France, 
Spain and Portugal, according to Johnson, early required the 
erection of wharves for their accommodation. It appears by 
the records of Jan. 1G39, that some important undertaking of 
this kind had been commenced prior to that time, in which the 
town felt considerable interest : for on the 21st of that month 
'there is granted to the overseers of the wharfes and crane an 
hundred acres of land at Mt. Wolaston next to the allottment 
already granted, towards the repairing and maintaining of the 
said wharfs and crane.' Other wharves arc mentioned in 
1641 ; particularly, Nov. 29th, Valentine Hill and associates 
are authorized and agree to build certain wharves, and keep 
them in repair, on condition that for every himdred pounds 
thus laid out within five years, they are to have the improve- 
ment nine years thereafter, and to receive tonnage and wharf- 
age. There are no traces by which we can ascertain where 
the two first of these vv'harves were situated, or whether the 
last was not a continuation of the same. This cost per ac- 
count .£813. \3s, 'id, and the company was granted four score 
years to possess and improve. 

There is no doubt that this improvement embraced some of 
the wharves between the Town dock and Long wharf. At 
the expiration of the term specified in the contract the wharf 
and buildings thereon were to revert to the town and all be 
left in good repair. It is apparent from this circumstance 
that the town claimed the right of ownership in the marsh or 
dock : the same thing is inferrible from the fact that individu- 
als desiring to wharf before their lots were obliged to ask lib- 
erty of the town, and in granting that, the town reserved the 
right to inliabitants of coming to and going from such wharves 
free of charge, on their own accourUs ; but no man was al- 
lowed to sail for hire from another man's wharf. Numerous 
grants of this nature were made almost every year Irom this 
time till 1673. when the great work of constructing \\hat has 
since been called the Old Wharf was accomplished. 

The origin of the mill creek is to be traced in the following 
record. July 31, 1643. There is granted unto Henry Si- 
mons, G. Burden, John Button, John Hill and their partners 
all that cove (already bounded) on the N. W. side of the 
causey leading toward Charleston, with ail the salt marish 
bordering •thereupon, round about, not formerly granted to 
any other, reserving liberty from time to time to make use of 
any part thereof for repairing the said causey, to have and 
enjoy the said cove and marsh to them and their heirs and 
assisrns for ever. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 125 

2. The said grant is for this intent and upon this condition ; 
that the said grantees shall within the space of three years 
erect and make upon or near the premises one or more corn 
mills and maintain the same forever. 

3. Provides for a iiood gate. 

4. Appropriates 300 acres of land at Braintree for the use 
and encouragement of the said mills. 

5. That if they shall carry their mill stream through the 
marsh on the northeast end of Goodman Low's* house, they 
have 60 feet in breadth throughout the said marsh granted 
unto them. 

6. They shall have liberty (o dig one. or more trenches in the 
highicays or waste grounds, so as they make and maintain 
sutficient passable and safe -ways over the same for horse and 
cart. 

7. The town will not allow any other common mill to be 
erected, except the necessary occasion of the town require it, 

8. The selectmen shall procui-e what free help they can, 
by persuasion, upon any pressing occasion of use of many- 
hands, about making the banks or trenches etc. for the better 
furtherance of the work to be speedily eflected. 

The grantees proceeded to carry into execution their part 
of this project. We sometimes lind the trench which was 
thus formed called the ditch : but it soon acquired in deeds 
the name of Mill creek which it still retains. The causey 
mentioned was not what has in late years been known as 
such, but the one alluded to, page 111, and in the following 
record. 

1640, March 30. C. Stanley shall have all the marsh on 
the east side of the way toward Charlestown ferry for £l. 10. 
reserving eight feet in breadth all along the side of the ditch 
by the said high way : and the szcanip compassed by his up- 
land for Gs. 8(/. being about half an acre.t The same is also 
mentioned in 1G55. Oct 29. Respecting tlie great causeway 
we are not able as yet to say any thing more than we find in 
Shaw, ' that the Indians had a foot path over the highest part 
of the marsh or flats, which was raised and widened hy a 
Mr. Crabtree to retain the water of the pond.' There was 
such a man and he was by trade a joiner. 

In process of time mills for various purposes were erected 
at three places on the mai'gin of the pond thus tbrmed. One 
at the west end of the creek, which was called the South 
mills; others at the north-east end of the causeway called 



* Goodman Low \s marsh was at the extremity of the triangle. 

t The same paratrraph provides that there shall be a high way reserved through the mill- 
field, two rods ill breadth, from the W. corner of M. Chafiith's garden unto the little house l»y 
the said swamp, and from tbence to the wind mill as diiccih/ as the land -.ciU hear. 



126 IIISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

the North mills and the Chocolate mills, and another at the 
south-west end of the causewnj. This however did not take 
place seasonably to prevent the erection of a mill at Fox-hill in 
1649, at which time there was also one at Fort hill and anoth- 
er m the new field. There was a vvatcrmill previously at 
Mt. Wolaslon, in 1639 : the " first in the colony " was erected 
at Dorchester, on Neponset river in the year 1633. The 
creek very soon became a sort of boundary (which has con- 
tinued to this day) between the north and south parts of the 
town, arid we find it so recognised in the appointment of two 
superintendants of streets in 1651, of whom one was ' for the 
Northend and one for the Southend, the mill creek to be the 
divisvn.'' 

The Northend people seem to have undertaken at their 
own expcnco ib.e construction of the north battery. The af- 
fair with Captain Stagg had made the Bostonians a little jeal- 
ous of the armed vessels which visited their port, and they 
had been at great cost to put the castle and Fort hill in a 
state of defence. Another difficulty of a similar nature oc- 
curred in 1644 with one Capt. Richardson, who undertook to 
make seizure of a Dartmouth ship that lay in the harbour, but 
which the authorities here had determined to seize them- 
selves, by way of reprisal lor a Boston ship that had been 
taken in Wales by the king's party. OlTicers were put on 
board the vessel, and Capt. R. was warned to desist; this he 
either could not or would not do ; his men boarded the vessel 
and the captain of her was made prisoner. The Governour 
hereupon ordered Capt. R. to come on shore to account for 
his conduct. His men wei'e so unruly that he feared to leave 
them, and he declined obeying the command. Upon this a 
warning piece was fired at him from the battery, which cut a 
rope in the head of his ship: one of his men was about to re- 
turn the fire but was providentially prevented. A stranger 
who was in the battery fired another gun, without orders, 
which however did no damage, except a slight injury to the 
prize ship in question. Forty men were then sent aboard 
and took possession of her, and Capt. Richardson came ashore 
and acknowledged his errour and his sorrow for what he had 
done. ' So we ordered him to pay a barrel of powder, and 
to satisfy the ofTicei's and soldiers we had employed and 
other expenses, and dismissed him.' The reason of their be- 
ing so easy with him was that ' there Avas no hurt done, nor 
had he made one shot; for if he had, we were resolved to- 
have taken or sunk him, which we might easily have done, 
lying close under our battery so as we could have played 



llas«. n. C. 1. ix. ICl. Town Records, Jan. 1651. t JVinthi-op, Sept. 164*. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 127 

upon him, with whole culverin or demi-culverin, six hours 
together.' 

It is not improbable that such occurrences as these led the 
north-end people to think it prudent to have a suitable work 
of defence, for the protection of their part of the town from 
insolent aggressions. Accordingly, preparations were made 
for fortifying somewhere about Walter Merry's point. It was 
the point now known by the name of Battery or North Bat- 
tery wharf. The position was well selected, commanding 
the entrance of the harbour, and the river also, as high up as 
vessels of large size would have been likely to venture. The 
work was completed in the course of the year 1646, when we 
have the following record concerning it : 

' Proposicions presented to the townsmen, on the behalfe 
of the inhabitants of the north end of the townc of Boston, the 
ratification whereof is desired, and the registeringe of them in 
the towne records, 

• ]. That we of this end of the tovvue, whose harts the 
Lord hath made willing to set about erecting and maintenance 
of a fortification att Walter Merry's point, may for the future 
bee freed from all rates and assessments to what other forti- 
fications bee in the towne, until such time as the other part of 
the townc, not jojMiing with us herein, shall have disbursed, 
and layd out in equall proporcion of their estates with ours, 
as by trew account may appeare. 

' 2. That the land gained at the towne's charge, and stack- 
ed out to the towne's service by those deputed for that end, 
to the raysinge of a work upon, may not by any to their pri- 
vate occations, be imployed or made use of ; as that the 
ground nor flalts, before the sayd worke may not be disposed 
of by the towne unto any particular man's imployment, to the 
prejudice of the said worke.' 

It is easy to imagine what must have been the spirit of the 
times, when so great a work was undei-taken in such a way : 
it evinced a growing readiness in the people to maintain 
their rights with their lives, their fortunes and their sacred 
honour. Johnson's account of the castle affords us a pleasant 
view of this subject. 'To say right,' (says he, b. ii. ch. xxvi.) 
'some particular persons may be penurious in laying out their 
estates upon ammunition, but the general of Officers and soul- 
diers are vei-y generous that way: the reverend Doctor Wil- 
son gave bountifully for the furthering this Wilderness-work, 
the which was expended upon great Artiller}^, his gift being a 
thousand pound ; beside many persons that came over, the 
Lord was pleased to indow with a large portion of the things 
of this life, who were not backward liberally to dispose of it, 
to procure means of defence. And to that end there was a 
castle built on an Island, upon the passage into the Mattachu- 



128 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Baj, wholly built at lirst by the country in general, but by 
reason the country alFords no Lime, but what is burnt of 
Oyster-shels, it fell to decay in a few years after, which made 
many of the Towns that lay out of the defence thereof to de- 
sert it, althoui^h their safety (under God) was much involved 
in the constant repair and wcll-mannaging thereof ; hereupon 
the next six Towns take upon them to rebuild it at their pro- 
per cost and charges, the rest of the country upon the finish- 
ing thereof gave them a small matter toward it; upon this 
there was a Captain ordained, and put in possession thereof 
by the country, having a yearly Stipend allowed him for him- 
self and his souldiers, which he is to keep in a constant 
readiness upon the Island, being about eight acres of ground. 
'The Castle is built on the North-East of the Island, upon a 
rising hill, very advanlagcous to make many shot at such ships 
as shall offer to enter the Harbor without their good leave 
and liking; the Comniander of it is one Captain Davenport, a 
man approved for his faithfulness, courage and skill, the Mas- 
ter Canoneer is an active Ingineer ; also this Castle hath cost 
about four thousand pounds, yet are not this poor j)ilgrim 
people weai-y of maintaining it in good repair ; it is of very 
good use to awe any insolent persons, that putting conlidence 
in their ship and sails, shall offer any injury to the people, or 
contemn their Government, and they have certain signals of 
alarums, which suddenly spread through the whole country/ 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Il being as unnatural lor a right X. E. niau 

to live without an able Minlstery, as for a Smitli to workc his iron without a Fire. 

/r. /r. p. 

It has been so often repeated that it is now generally be- 
lieved the north part of the town was at that period the most 
populous. We are convinced that the idea is erroneous. \Vc 
have reason to suj^pose that almost every householder in 
Boston was a member of the (irbt church, and it appears there 
had been admitted only 30G men, down to the latter end of 
1652. Of these we know some had died and others removed. 
The book of possessions records the estates of about 250, the 
number of their houses, barns, gardens, and sometimes the 
rneasuremcnt of their lands. It seems to embrace tjic period 
from IGlO lo 1060, and we conclude, gives us the names of 
almost, il"iK)i (luiir. all (he freemen of l^oslon. 'f hey were 
settled through the whole leuirth of the main street on both 



HISTORY Of BOSTON. 129 

sides, from Elliot-street to the market, excepting only the 
small green near the Old South. The cross streets on either 
side were all occupied : Elm-street, the upper part of 
Hanover-street, Sudbury-stroet, and Green-sireet on the 
north side, were all appropriated for house lots. It is evident 
too, that the most wealthy and influenfi-il chumcters lived in 
what is now the centre of the town. We discover only about 
thirty names of residents north of the creek. Among them 
were Copp, GoodzLiin, Shoare, Sweet, Seaberry. Bourne, Clark^ 
Joy, Rawlins, Cullimer, Merry, Passmrr, F. Hudson, Chaffie 
(a shipwright,) Gallop, Meekins, IMillam, John Hill, Bennett, 
Phillips, Gibson, Jones: some others were owners of field 
lots : C. Stanley owned fifteen acres.* 

It is probable, however, that an increase of business began 
to be perceived at the north end about this time, and that re- 
movals began to be made into it, which resulted in its becom- 
ing ' for many years the most populous and elegant part of the 
town.' For we find that when another meeting house was 
judged necessary, to accommodate the population, it was 
deemed expedient to place it in that quarter. This was done 
in 1649, when the house was erected at the head of the North 
Square. A church was gathered there on the fifth day of 
June the next year, and consisted at first of seven members. 
Their names were Michael Powell, James Ashwood, Christo- 
pher Gibson, John Phillips, George Davis, Michael Wills, 
John Farnam. A sermon was preached on the occasion, by 
Samuel M;Uher, a graduate of Harvard College. He was 
earnestly solicited to remain as pastor of the new church, 
but declined the invitation.! 



* The 306, mentioned in this paragraph, joined after Mr. Cotton's arrival : 130 had joined 
before that : the removals carried away very many to Charlestown, Rhode Island, Exeter, 
the Somers Islands, besides those who were settled at Braintree, Romney Marsh and Mudd> 
river, and others who had returned to England. ^ 

t Rev. Mr. yVait''s Historical Discourses. 

Covtnant of the Old North Church. 

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being called of God to enter into church fellow- 
ship, knowing and considering our own great unworthiness and unfitness for so near ap- 
proaches to so holy a God, and how apt we are to start aside from him and from the rules 
of his gospel and government over us, we therefore desire to lament as in his sight the 
inconstancy of our own spirits with him and our former neglects of him, and pollutions of 
his house and holy things by our personal corruptions and unworthy walkings : and do be- 
seech him for his name's sake to prevent us with mercy, and accept us under the wings of 
his own everlasting covenant. 

And in dependance upon his free grace therein, in his name and strength we freely this 
day, in the presence of the overliving God, do avouch the Lord to be our God, and ourselves 
to be his people, and so yield up oorselve? to him by aa holy covenant of faith and love anc! 

17 



130 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

This event brings us near to the time when Johnson sketch- 
ed his description of Boston, which was ready for publica- 
tion in 1651. We present the twentieth chapter of his first 
book, without variation, that our readers may have one speci- 
men of the manner in which the work was executed. 

Johnson's description. 
' After some little space of time the Church of Christ at 
Charles Towne, having their Sabbath assemblies oftenest on 
the South side of the River, agreed to leave the people on 
that side to themselves, and to provide another Pastor for 
Charles Towne, which accordingly they did. So that the 
fourth Church of Christ issued out of Charles Towne, and 
was seated at Boston, being the Center Towne and Metropo- 
lis of this Wildernesse worke (but you must not imagine it to 
be a Metropolitan Church) invironed it is with Brinish flouds. 
saving one small Istmos, which gives free accesse to the Neigh- 
bour Townes ; by Land on the South side, on the North-west, 
and North East,* two constant Faires are kept for daily 
traffique thereunto, the forme of this Towne is like a heart, 
naturally scituated for Fortifications, having two Hills on the 
frontice part thereof next the Sea, the one well fortified on 
the superfices thereof, with store of great Artillery well mount- 
ed, the other hath a very strong battery built of whole Tim- 
ber, and filled with Earth, at the descent of the Hill in the 
extreme poynt thereof betwixt these two strong armes lies 
a large Cove or Bay, on w hich the chiefest part of this Town 
is built, over-topped with a third Hill, all three like over-top- 
ping Towers keepc a constant watch to fore-see the approach 
of forrein dangers, being furnished with a Beacon and lowd 
babbling Guns, to give notice by their redoubled eccho to all 
their Sister-tow nes. the chief Edifice of this City-like Towne 
it crowded on the Sea-bankes, and wharfed out with great in- 
dustry and cost, the buildings beautifuU and large, some fairely 

loyalty, to clenve to him and to one another in him, to cleave to God in Christ as our sov- 
ereign good, and to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only mediator and surety of the covenant, 
as our only high priest and atonement to satisfy for us and to save us, and as our only 
prophet to guide and teach us, and as our only king and lawgiver to reign over us : as 
also to attend upon him and the service of his holy will, by walking together as a congrega- 
tion and church uf Christ in all the ways of his worship and of mutual love and special 
watchfulness one over another, according to his will which is revealed to us by his word i 
subjecting ourselves in the Lord to all his holy administrations in his church, beseeching 
bira to own us for his people, and to delight to dwell in the midst of us, that his kingdom 
and grace may be ailvanced by us. 

Which sacred covenant that we may observe and all the branches of it inviolate forever 
we desire to deny ourselves, and to depend alone upon the promise of his spirit and grace, 
and upon the merits and mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ for assistance and for acceptance, 
for healing and forgiving mercy fur his own sake. 

* (There is urouss by lerrle>. from Charlestown and WinnesimetJl 



HISTORY OF BOSTOiy, 131 

bet forth with Brick, Tile, Stone Slate, and orderly placed 
with comly streets, whose continuall inlargement presages 
some sumptuous City. The wonder of this modern Age, that 
a few yeares should bring forth such great matters by so 
meane a handfull, and they so far from being inriched by the 
spoiles of other Nations, that the states of many of them have 
been spoiled by the Lordly Prelacy, whose Lands must as- 
suredly make Restitutions. But now behold the admirable 
Acts of Christ, at this his peoples landing, the hideous Thick- 
ets in this place were such, that the Wolfcs and Bearcs nurst 
up their young from the eyes of all beholders, in those very 
places where the streets arc full of Girles and Boys sporting 
up and downe, with a continued concourse of people. Good 
store of Shipping is here yearly built, and some very faire 
ones : both Tar and Mastes the Countrey affords from its own 
soile ; also store of Victuall both for their own and Forrein- 
ers-ships, who resort hither for that end : this Town is the 
very Mart of the Land, French, Portugalls and Dutch, come 
hither for traffique.' 

Respecting the second church, which he makes the thirtieth 
in the colony, he sa^'s Book iii. ch. 7.) ' the north-east part 
of the town being separated from the other with a narrow 
stream cut through a neck of land by industry, whereby that 
part is become an island, it was thought meet that the people 
inhabiting the same should gather into a church body, and 
build a meeting-house for their assembly, the which they have 
already done, but not as yet called any one to office.' 

Several of the distinguished ministers of that period, who 
were officers in other churches, but likely to remove from 
their places, were invited unsuccessfully to take charge of 
this congregation. For a few years, therefore, one of the 
brethren, Michael Powell, conducted the worship, and to such 
satisfaction that he would have been ordained teacher, had 
it not been for the interference of the General Court, who 
' would not suffer one that was illiterate, as to academical ed- 
ucation, to be called to the teaching office in such a place as 
Boston.' There was a law in existence that no minister 
should be called into office, in any church in this jurisdiction, 
without the approbation and allowance of some of the ma- 
gistrates. Mr. Powell was a man of sense and good charac- 
ter ; the objection to him was not that he was a layman, but 
that he was wanting in learning, and they would not suffer 
him to be a publick teacher, lest occasion should be given to 
introduce such more generally, if allowed in a particular in- 
stance. The court recommended Mr. Reyner from Plymouth. 

After four years passed in this condition, Mr. John Mayo, 
who on account of some difficulties and discouragements had 
left his people at Nossct, (Eastham?) was called to the pastoral 



132 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

office here, and ordained the 9th of November, 1655. At the 
same time, Mr. Powell was ordained as ruling elder of the 
church. Mr. M. administered the seals, and Mr. P. continu- 
ed to preach publicklj in a constant way. 

We are told that 'the gatheringof this church was evidently 
very much to the disadvantage of Mr. Cotton, in many of his 
interests ; but he was a John, who reckoned his joy fulfilled 
if in his own decrease he could see the interests of his Master 
advance; and therefore, with exemplary self-denial, he en- 
couraged its foundation :' he had not the happiness, however, 
to live to sec it established under any other instructions than 
those of Mr. Powell. 



CHAPTER XXIIL 

"his reverend lockes 

In comelje curies did wave, 

And on his aged temples grewe 

The blossomes of the grave." 

The death of Mr. Cotton took place towards the close of the 
year 1652. In the course of the fall, he had been urgently 
desired to visit the college at Cambridge and preach a sermon 
to the students. He was exposed to the wet, in his passage 
across the ferry for that purpose, and took cold, which was 
followed with an inflammation of the lungs, attended with 
asthmatick affections and other symptoms of alarming charac- 
ter. He preached occasionally afterwards, and his last ser- 
mon was on the Lord's day Nov. 21, from John i. 14. We 
beheld his glory^ the glory as of the only besotten of the Father, 
His impressions of his near approach to the grave were so 
strong, that at the preceding Thursday lecture he had hasten- 
ed to close his exposition of the second of Timothy, and dwelt 
with increased emphasis on the last words, grace ee with vou 
ALL : thus, as it were, he bade his people farewell, and his 
appearance on this sabbath was both to him and to them, like 
a visit from the unseen world. He spent the succeeding day 
in private devotion, and on cjuitting his study at night, said to 
his wife, 1 shall go into that room no more ! — The event prov- 
ed the correctness of his forebodings: from that time he went 
no more out. 

While he thus lay sick, the magistrates, and the ministers 
of the country, and christians of all ranks, resorted to him 
as to a publick father, full of sad apprehensions for the loss 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 1 53 

they were about to sustain. A short time before his death he 
desired to be lel't alone, that he might fix his thoughts, without 
interruption, on his great and last change. So, lying speech- 
less a few hours, he exj)ired about noon, on Thursday the 
23d of December, having just completed his sixty-seventh 
year.* 

Strange and alarming signs appeared in the heavens, while 
his body lay, according to the custom of the times, till the 
Tuesday following, " when it was most honourably interred, 
with a most numerous concourse of peo[)lc, and the most 
grievous and solemn funeral, that was ever known, perhaps, 
upon the American strand ; and the lectures in his church, 
the wholcwinter, were but so many funeral sermons upon the 
death and worth of this exti'aordinary person.' 

Mr. Cotton's memory did not receive so much attention 
from his cotemporaries without his well deserving it : for in 
the language of the ' Old Melt's Tears'' he was in his life, 
light and learning, the brightest and most shining star in their 
firmament. He was born at Derbj', Decern lier 4, 1585. His 
father, Mr. Roland Cotton, was a lawyer, a man of piety and 
respectability, and his mother a pious woman. Without a 
great property to encourage them, they resolved on giving 
their son a learned as well as religious education. He was 
accordingly qualified for the university, and at the age of 
thirteen was admitted into Trinity college, Cambridge. His 
proficiency in his studios excited admiration, and procured 
him an invitation to En)manuel college, where he was soon 
elected to a fellowship, and afterwards became head-lecturer, 
dean, and catechist. He acquired so exact a knowledge of 
the Hebrew as to be able to converse in it, was perfectly fa- 
miliar with the Greek, and wrote the Latin language with 
Ciceronian elegance. 

Tn his twenty-eighth year he removed from Cambridge and 
settled at Boston in Lincolnshire. There his labours and 
his usefulness were immense, and he was exceedingly belov- 
ed by the best, and reverenced by the worst of his hearers. 
Through all the times of trouble, which visited the non-con- 
formists, he was maintained in his place by the unanimity of 
his people. But after the government of the church fell into 
the hands of Bishop Laud, divisions arose among the parish- 
ioners of Mr. Cotton. An information was lodged against 
him, (by a dissolute fellow, who thought in that way to revenge 
himself on some of Mr. C's friends, for a restraint they had 
put upon him.) and being cited to appear before the high-com- 
mission court, he thought it more prudent to flee his country, 
than to expose hiinself to perpetual imprisonment. He was 

* Magnalia, Enurspn. Tlje town Register of deatbs says 15th Dec. 1652, 



134 HISTORY OF BOSTOK^. 

hesitating whether to choose Holland, Barbadoes or New- 
England for the place of his retreat, when his mind was de- 
termined by letters received from Gov. Winthrop, inviting 
him in the name of the church to come to Boston. He arriv- 
ed here in 1633, which was the forty-eighth year of his age, 
and immediately commenced the career of usefulness, which 
ended only with his life. Nineteen years and odd months he 
spent in this place, doing good publickly and privately to all 
sorts of men. 

Mr. Cotton's personal appearance was strikingly impressive- 
His complexion was clear and fair, and his countenance 
florid : in size he was rather short and inclining to corpulent, 
but in the whole of an agreeable mediocrity. In his youth, 
his hair was brown, but as he advanced in life it became as 
white as the driven snow. The colour of his eye his ' proso- 
pographer' omitted ; but we know its glance flashed the keen- 
est rebuke on every appearance of evil, and smiled the heart- 
iest approbation on every worthy action. He had a clear, 
neat and audible voice, which easily filled the largest halls. 
His delivery was not noisy and thundering, yet it had in it a 
very awful majesty, set off with a natural and becoming mo- 
tion of his right hand. His style of preaching was plain, de- 
signed to be understood by the meanest capacity, while his 
more discerning hearers could perceive from it that he was a 
man of more than ordinary abilities and research. 

He generally devoted twelve houi'S in a day to his studies, 
and composed his written sermons with great care, though he 
sometimes preached without any preparation. It was his 
practice to expound, both from the old and new testaments, in 
course, and to draw from each subject a series of ' doctrines 
and uses.' In this manner he went through the whole bible 
once, and had proceeded some ways a second time, when he 
Avas cut ofl' by the hand of death. 

The political and religious opinions of so influential a per- 
sonage were matters of importance to the infant plantation. 
The scope of both may be gleaned froni his writings, and they 
are substantially apparent in many of our customs and laws 
at the present day. The Magnalia tells us that upon Mr. 
Cotton's arrival, the points of chui-ch order were revived with 
more of exactness, and received by the churches already 
formed, and the same were adopted by such as rose after- 
wards. 

' It was an uncommonly interesting epoch to the Boston 
church. A fraternity was to be formed of discordant materi- 
als. Many of those who composed the church had been edu- 
cated Episcopalians, and were therefore disinclined to vary 
from established forms. Others had come to New-England 
rather as adventurers than as christians, and could hardly be 



HISTORY OF BOSTOV. 135 

subjected to any ecclesiastical or political rules. But the sa- 
gacity and ever-watchful discipline of Mr. Cotton was aston- 
ishingly efficacious towards conforming all descriptions of 
characters to habits of obedience and order.' 

He prepared a book which was p<iblished in 1644 with the 
title of The keys of the kingdom of heaven, in which the princi- 
ples of Congregational church government are explained and 
defended. This work was long a standard reference and 
guide to the New England congrcgationalists. 

On doctrinal points Mr. C. was a calvinist. He used to 
say to his private friends, that he knew of no ditficult place in 
the bible which he had not studied somewhat to satisfaction, 
and that he always loved to sweeten his mouth with a piece 
of Calvin before he went to sleep. 

His political writings show him to have been friendly to an 
elective government, administered oti the principles of the Mo- 
saic laws. In a communication to Lord Say and Seal, in 1636, 
he expresses himself thus : ' Democracy I do not conceive that 
ever God did ordain as a fit government, either for church or 
commonwealth. As for monarchy and aristocracy, they are 
both of them clearly approved and directed in Scripture, yet 
so as referreth the sovereignty to himself, and setteth up the- 
ocracy in both.' But he says in another place, ' the authority 
of the father is no where communicated with his honours to 
all his posterity : if God should not delight to furnish some of 
them with gifts for magistracy, we should expose them rather 
to reproach and prejudice, and the commonwealth with them, 
if we should call them forth to publick authority.' 

One instance of Mr. Cotton's conduct in a political affair is 
worthy to be repeated. ' It was moved in caucus by a man 
of some influence, that two of their deputies of long standing, 
who had fallen into low circumstances should be dropped 
from office. Mr. C. hearing of the project, took occasion on 
the next lecture day, pointedly, though prudently, to condemn 
it. He taught that if old and faithful officers had grown poor 
in the publick service, they should be maintained at the pub- 
lick expense. The reproof was clearly understood, and pun- 
gently felt : for the motion was never renewed.' 

Mr. C.'s private virtues and domestic k life were equally 
exemplary. His control over his own passions was almost 
perfect, and his family government was strict, while his cor- 
rections were cool and deliberate. He was liberal of his own 
property, and, when the necessities of any required his exer- 
tions, would apply to the hearts of others for their assistance. 
On one occasion he thus collected £200 from the members 
of his own church, for the relief of a persecuted minister and 
his people. He lost his first wife a few years before his re- 
moval to this country. His second, whose name was Sarah, 



136 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

accompanied him to Boston. They had three sons and three 
daughters. 'J'he oldest daughter and the youngest son died 
during their father's lilctinie, both ol' them near together, of 
the sin;dl-pox, which was then (1649) for the first time raging 
in Boston. Of the other four, the elder daughter (and her 
only child) died within a (cw years : the youngest became 
the wife of Increase Mather : Seaborn, the elder son, was set- 
tled in Hampton, and John, the younger, in Plymouth, both 
ministers of the gospel. 

Mr. Cotton left a w ill, in w hich he provided, that on cer- 
tain contingencies the one half of his estate should revert to 
Harvard College and the other half to the support of the 
free school in Boston. Those coniingencies never happened. 
He gave the church a piece of silver plate to be used in com- 
munion service, which may have been the first they had, for 
at one time they made use of wooden chalices. 

Others of the first settlers were about this time paying the 
debt of nature. Capt. Stanley is mentioned in April, 1649, 
as having left a lot of land in his will to the school's use. 
The widow Mary Hudson bequeathed ten pounds to the same 
purpose. William Paddy left something to the town in 1658, 
and Mr. Henry Webb in 1660 demised £lOO to be appropri- 
ated either for the use of the school, or the building some neat 
house for the relief of the poor, or supplying them with need- 
ful articles, as the selectmen might deem best. Capt. Kcayne 
died on the 23d of March, 16,36 : he also remembered Boston 
in his will. This unparalleled document occupies 157 folio 
pages of the Probate records, and besides providing hand- 
somely for his relatives and his idol, the Great Artillery, for 
Harvard college, and his revered pastor and teacher, and the 
poor of the church, he bequeaths to the town about XiOO worth 
towards the erection of a market f)lace and town house, and 
granary for the benefit of the poor, a conduit for security 
against fire, and the foundation of a library, and Jt!oO for the 
free school ; appropriating a portion withal for his ow n decent 
and civil burial, which he desired might be performed in a 
military way. His whole estate which he enjoined should be 
appraised at its fair value, not at half price as the custom of 
some tiiflv, amounted to £2843 19^. 3d. The estate of Wm. 
Tyng who died about the same time was valued at £2774 145. 
4</. each about 15000 dollars. The amount of Mr. Cotton's 
inventory was £l038 4^. W^e add a fac simile of his writing. 







HISTORY OF BOSTO>-. 



137 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

" I'll tear her to pieces ! 

And dissecting ber beart, find the witchery there." 



According to usage formally established, by a vote in 1646, 
appointing eight o'clock A. M. ' of the second second day 
of the first month, in every year,' as the time to meet for the 
choice of town officers, the inhabitants assembled in general 
meeting on Monday the fourteenth of March, 1653, when 
the town government was organized as follows : 



For Muddy River. 

Peter Aspenwal. 

Clerks of the Market. 

Thomas Buttalls, 
Cor/)om/ Henry Pounding. 

Sealers of Leather. 

Wm. Courser, 
Robert Reade. 

Surveyors of high ways. 

Matthew Barnes, 
Richard Bennet, 
Thos. Wiburne, 
James Pemert [?] at 
Rom. M. 

Packers of flesh and fish. 

Serjeant John Barrell, 
Wm. Dinsdale. 

and 
Isaac Collimor 

C is chosen to look to carriages and wheels of 
■] the Great Artillery and to be paid by the 
( Selectmen. 



Deputies to General Court. 

Capts. John Leverett, 
Thos. Clarke. 



Ensigns Edw. Hutchinson, 

Jere. Houchin, 
Messrs. Wm. Bronton, 

Sam. Cole, 
Cornet Peter Oliver, 

James Oliver, 

Thos. Marshall. 

Commissioner to carry in votes for 
Blagistrateb. 

Mr. Nath. Duncan. 

Constables for town. 

Mr. Joseph Rock, 

Henry Bridgham, 
Barth. Chcvers, 
Wm. Wenborn. 

For Roniney Marsh. 

John Doolittle. 

These offices had been established from time to time as the 
exigencies of affairs demanded : usually there was some vote 
of the court sanctioning or recommending them, and confer- 
ring or limiting their powers. 

In June, 1650, a petition had been presented from Boston, 

that they might become a corporation, which was granted, 

provided the articles and terms, privileges and immunities asked, 

may be such as rationally should appear, (respecting (he mean 

18 



138 IlISTOltY OF BOSTON. 

condition of the countrj) fit for the court to grant, and that 
they shall be ready for examination at the next session of 
the court. The records of that session show nothing that was 
done upon the subject. Suits at law, however, grew more 
frequent, and many crimes were committed especially in the 
town of Boston, by reason of the great concourse of people and 
the increase of trade.* On this account, 

'At a sessions of the general court in October, 1651, an act 
or order was passed, empowering the town of Boston to choose 
seven commissioners, to be presented to the court of assist- 
ants ; and, being authorized by them and sworn before them, 
or before the governour, they or any five of them, or any 
three together with one magistrate, might hear and determine 
all civil actions not exceeding ten pounds in value, and all 
criminal actions where the penalty or fine should not exceed 
forty shillings, the parties being such as were inhabitants of 
Boston neck or Noddle's island, or such as did not belong to 
the jurisdiction ; and the county court was not to take cog- 
nizance of any such actions. This law was made for one 
year for trial.' 

The commissoncrs were authorised to appoint their own 
clerk, and ordered to keep a book of records for the entry of 
all causes, evidences and testimonies, sentences and judg- 
ments 0.9 the laze providtd in like cases. 

At the second election under this order in October, 1652, 
Messrs. John Leverett, Nathaniel Duncan, Anthony Stoddard, 
William and Edward Tyng, T. Savage and T. Clark 
were chosen for the year ensuing. The first five had served 
the year before. These gentlemen, together with those in the 
foregoing list of town ofiicers, probably comprised the most 
active and influential part of the citizens in the year 1653. 

The duties of the Selectmen were very solemnly detailed in 
a power which was drawn up by a committee appointed for 
the purpose, in this form : 

' 24, 1 mo. 1651. — Directions for the selectmen of Boston 
commended unto them from the town. 

Having cho<;en you fororderingc of towne affaires, this year 
ensuing, though we doubt not to confide in your wisdom, fidel- 
ity, and care, in seeking and promoting the good and wclfaire 
of the towne, yet according to court we commend unto you 
the instructions following. 

First, in generall we require your special care that the 
good and wholesome orders already made, which you have 
the records of, be observed and duly executed, and what 
other acts and orders, shall be established for future benefit 



Colony iscords 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 139 

of the towne, that you allsoe cause them to be published and 
put in execution, and further according to power given, and 
several lawes of the country to be found in the book of print- 
ed lawes, under these titles, Townships, Ecclesiastick, Free- 
men, High-ways, small Causes, Indians, Corn-fields, Masters 
and Servants, Pipe Staves, Swyne, Weights, Measures, and 
any other order in force which conccrne your place to regu- 
late yourselves and carry on your worke, and where you finde 
defect of power to bring your desires to a good issue for well 
ordering the town, you may draw some good orders in forme 
to be approved by ihe towne, and so to be presented to the 
Generall Court, and our Deputyes for consideration. 

Secondly, there are some particulars necessary to be con- 
sidered of and ordered by j'ou — as first about accepting and 
entertaining new inhabitants into the towne and herein. 

First, it is required that you make some eftectuall orders, 
with such penalt}"- as you have powers to impose, that none 
transplant themselves from other parts of the country to in- 
habit here without giving you notice thereof. 

Secondly, to inquire of such as so present themselves for in- 
habitants, what calling or employment they will undertake, 
and if they will live under other men's roofs as inmates, then 
to deal with them, according to the order of such persons, 
comprehended under the title of Tovvneshipes. 

Thirdly, if such persons were poor and impotent, such as 
had reliefe in the district whence they came, then to deal with 
them according to the ordering of settling poore people under 
that title of poor.' 

These instructions were continued in force by an annual 
vote of the people for many years. 

Before the year 1637 the townsmen served W'ithout com- 
pensation, (as the fashion now^ is) and defrayed incidental ex- 
penses. In that year it w^as agreed that their charges at their 
meetings be borne by the town in general. And in 1641 we 
find a charge of two pounds eighteen shillings for a select- 
men's dinner. The number of the Selectmen (who used to be 
chosen twice a year,) varied in different years, from eleven to 
seven, till 1647, after which seven continued for a long time to 
be the number. 

The year 1 653 is rendered memorable by the first great fire.* 
Neither the part of the townnorof the year in which it occur- 
red, is precisely ascertained by us. We infer that it was near 
Cornhill, from some expressions in Capt. Keayne's wall, where 
he recommends having a conduit, as ' a good help in danger of 



* ' A most terrible fire happened iu Charlestown, in 1650, in the depth of winter, which 
hy a violent wind was blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest 
hou>;cs in the town.' W. W. P. iii. 9. 



140 HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

fire, the want of which we have found by sad and costly ex- 
perience, not only in other parts of the town, where possibly 
they have better supply of water, but in the heart of the town 
about the market place — and many fair buildings there be 
round about it.' We also date it before the 14lh of March, 
for on that day we find a body of regulations adopted for the 
better preservation of the town from fire. Before this a man 
was liable to }0s. line, if he sutlcred his chimney to become 
so foul as to take fire and blaze out at the top. Now every 
house was to be provided with a ladder to reach to the ridge 
thereof, and a pole about 12 feet long with a good large 
swabb at the end of it, to reach to the roof of the house. Six 
good and long ladders were to be furnished by the selectmen 
and kept at the meeting houses, and four strong iron crooks 
with chains and ropes fitted to them, and this crook fastened 
on a good strong pole. No person was to recover damage for 
his house, if pulled down to stop the progress of fire ; but no 
house should be so pulled down without the consent of the 
major part of the magistrates, or commissioners and selectmen 
present. No fire was to be allowed on board any vessel or 
near any warehouse after nine o'clock. Bell men are ap- 
pointed to go about during the night. Fire buckets are men- 
tioned soon after, and the selectmen arc authorized to agree 
with Joseph Jenks for an engine to carry water in case of fire. 
Chimney sweepers were also appointed ' with liberty to cry 
about the streets, that thej- may be known :' Robert Wyatt 
and William Lane had the honour to receive the first appoint- 
ments. In these ordinances we trace the rudiments of our 
present system for the management of fires. 

The most remarkable occurrence in the colony in the year 
1G55 was the trial and condemnation of Mrs. Ann Hibbins of 
Boston for witchcraft. Her husband, who died July 23, 1G54, 
was an agent for the colony in England, several years one of 
the assistants, and a merchant of note in the town ; but losses 
in the latter part of his life had reduced his estate, and in- 
creased the natural crabbedness of his wife's temper, which 
made her turbulent and cjuarrclsome, and brought her under 
church censures, and at length rendered her so odious to her 
neighbours as to cause some of them to acuse her of witch- 
craft. The jury brought her in guilty, but the magistrates 
refused to accept the verdict ; so the cause came to the gene- 
ral court, where the popular clamour prevailed against her, 
and the miserable old lady was condemned and executed in 
June 1G6G. Search was made upon her body for tctts, and 
in her chests and boxes for puppets or images, but there is no 
record of any thing of that sort being found. Mr. Beach, a 
minister in Jamaica, in a letter to Dr. Increase Mather, says, 
• Vou may remember what 1 have sometimes told you your 



HISTORY OF KOSTOJf. 141 

famous Mr. Norton once said at his own table, before Mr. Wil- 
son the pastor, elder Penn and myself and wife, and others, 
who had the honour to be his guests : — That one of your 
magistrates' wives, as I remember, was hanged for a witch 
only for having more wit than her neighbours. It was his 
very expression ; she having, as he explained it, unhappily 
guessed that two of her persecutors, whom she saw talking in 
the street, were talking of her, which proving true, cost her her 
life, notwithstanding all he could do to the contrary, as he 
himself told us.' 

This was the third instance of execution for witchcraft in 
New England. The first occurred in Connecticut: the second 
was the case of Margaret Jones of Charlestown, who was exe- 
cuted at Boston in June 1648. She was charged with posses- 
sing a malignant touch, which immediately infected with some 
violent ail, whoever came in contact with her. Had she lived 
in our day, she would only have been sent to Rainsford's 
island. 

It is not strange that her husband should have been a sus- 
picious character. After witnessing her tragical end, he very 
naturally desired to leave the scene of distress, and sought 
passage in a vessel bound to Barbadoes, which was for some 
cause denied him. The vessel lay in the river between Bos- 
ton and Charlestown, and ' on a sudden she was seen to roll 
from side to side as if she would turn over.' She was of 300 
tons, in light ballast, and had eighty horses on board. Poor 
Mr. Jones was accused as the probable cause of this accident, 
and warrant issued for his apprehension. The constable, as 
he crossed the ferry, had the prudence to present the war- 
rant in view of the ship ; and the same instant she began to 
stop her motion and to swim upright, and as soon as Jones was 
safe lodged in prison, she never moved in that kind any 
more : so says ' history.' 

We have the authority of Hutchinson to say, that about 
this time the scrupulosity of the good people of the colony 
was at its height. Soon after Mr. Winthrop's death, Mr. F]n- 
dicott the most rigid of any of the magistrates, being gover- 
nour, he joined with the other assistants in an association 
against the wearing of long hair, as a thing uncivil and un- 
manly, fit only for Russians and barbarous Indians. They 
had a law too against long boots, on account of the waste of 
leather, and a law against dancing on ordinary occasions. 
Some good men finding that laws were rather ineffectual used 
the severer lash of ridicule. The Simple Cohler of ^^ggawain 
thus lectures our extravagant grandsires and grandames : 

' Mcthinks it should break the hearts of English men to 
see so many goodly English women imprisoned in French ca- 
ges, peering out of their hood-holes for some men of mercy to 



142 HISTOliV OF BOSTON. 

help them with a little wit, and nohody relieves them. We 
have about five or six of them in our colony : if I see any of 
them accidentally, I cannot cleanse my phansie of them for a 
month after. 

' It is a more common than convenient saying that nine 
ta3'lors make a man : it were well if nineteen could make a 
woman to her mind : if taylors were men indeed, well fur- 
nished but with meer moral principles, they would disdain to 
be led about like apes, by such mymick marmosets. It is a 
most unworthy thing, for men that have bones in them, to 
spend their lives in making fiddle-cases for futulous womens 
phansies ; which are the very pettitoes of infirmity, the giblets 
of percjuisquilian toyes. I am so charitable to think, that 
most of that mystery would work the cheerfuller while they 
live, if they might be well discharged of the tyring slavery 
of mis-tyring women : it is no little labour to be continuall}' 
putting up English women into out-landish caskes ; who if 
they be not shifted anew, once in a few months, growe too 
sowrc for their husbands. 

He that makes coats for the moon 
Had need take measure every noon ; 

and he that makes for women as often, to keep them from 
lunacy. 

' It is known more than enough, that I am neither nigard,nor 
cinick, to the due bravery of the true gentry: if any man 
mislikes a bullymong drossock more than I, let him take her 
for his labour : I honour the woman that can honour herself 
with her attire : a good text always deserves a fair margent ; 
1 am not much oficndcd, if I see a trimme far trimmer than 
she that wears it : in a word, whatever Christianity or civili- 
ty will allow, I can afford with London measure : but when I 
hear a nugiperous gentlcdamc inc|uire what dress the queen is 
in this week : what the nudiustertian fashion of the court ; 
with egge to be in it in all haste, whatever it be ; I look at 
her as the very gizznrd of a tride, the product of a quarter of 
a cypher, the epitome of nothing, fitter to be kickt, if she were 
of a kickable substniice, than cither honoured or humoured.' 

He is very serious on the subject of dressing the head. 
' Knew 1 how to bring it in, 1 would speak a word to long hair 
whereof I will say no more but this : if those who are termed 
ratllc-hcads and Impuritans would take up a resolution to be- 
gin in moderation of hair, to the just reproach of those that 
are called Puritans and round-heads, 1 would honour their man- 
liness as much as the others' gotllincss, so long as 1 knew 
what man or honour meant. If neither can find a barber's 
shop, let ihrm tunn in to Psalms, Jeremiah and Corinthians, 
where they may obtain certain directions. If it be thought 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 14S 

no wisdom in men to distinguish themselves in the field by scis- 
sors, let them remember, he is ill kept that is kept by 
his own sin : a short promise is a far safer guard than a 
long lock. Though it be not the mark of the beast, it may be 
the mark of a beast prepared to slaughter : 1 am sure, men 
used not to wear such manes : I am also sure, soldiers used to 
wear other marklets or notadoes in time of battle.' 

There must have been something more agreeable than a 
universal gloom in the society, where a man could be found, 
and he a minister and solitary widower, whose thoughts could 
run in such a train. We have been too long taught to believe 
that in the first generation, every thing bore marks of a pover- 
ty, which though voluntary was real : that austerity of man- 
ners did well enough agree with the horrours of a wilderness, 
and that content extended only to the supply of the first wants, 
and to a cabin, which the waste of fuel rendered inhabitable. 
Those who heard the late Dr. Bcntley's Antiquarian dis- 
course will recollect how happily he combated that opinion, 
by introducing his hearers into the mansions of some of the 
early settlers, and displaying the articles found in the invento- 
ries of their estates. His reseai-ches were made in Essex : our 
own Probate records exhibit similar facts. We find in the prin- 
cipal houses a great hall ornamented with pictures and a great 
lantern, and a velvet cushion in the window seat, which looks 
into the garden. On either side is a great parlour, a little par- 
lour, or study. These are furnished with great looking glass- 
es, turkey carpets, window curtains and valance, pictures and 
a map, a brass clock, red leather-back chairs and a great 
pair of brass andirons. The chambers are well supplied with 
feather beds, warming pans, and every other article that 
would now be thought necessary for comfort or display. 
The pantry is well filled with substantial fare and dainties, 
prunes, marmalade and madeira wine. Silver tankards, wine 
cups, and other articles of plate, are not uncommon : the 
kitchen is completely stocked with pewter, copper, and iron 
utensils. Very many families employed servants, and in one 
we sec a Scotch boy valued among the property and invoiced 
at £l4. The wardrobe of Mrs. Hudson exhibited as manj- 
articles of finery as usually deck a modern toilet. 

These legal records furnish the best of testimony concern- 
ing the extent of individual wealth, and the manners of the 
times. Such things existed in other places as much perhaps 
as in Boston, but a knowledge of them is not on that account 
less necessary to those, who would be familiar with the distin- 
guishing traits of our ancestors. 

The business of the most importance in the town at this 
period was the erection of the first Town House. A proposal 
had been made in 1649, ' that those that shall undertake to 



144 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

build a house for the courts to be kept in, shall have the in- 
come of any rents that might arise, forever.' In Capt. Kenyne's 
will the subject was renewed and urged with much earn- 
estness : he calculated the expenses and bequeathed a sum 
which he thought would nearly defray the whole. In 1657 
a model was presented ; in 1659 the town house is mentioned, 
and at the meeting that year, which we suppose to have been 
held in tliat house, a rule of proceeding was adopted that 
' there shall be a moderator chosen annually to regulate pub- 
lick meetings and for this present year VVm. Davis [apothe- 
cary] is cliosen.' Thomas Joy appears to have been the car- 
penter that built the town house, and a final settlement was 
made with him in January 1661, when he received £680 
' whereby all contracts with him were performed.' This was 
double the amount of Capt. Keaync's calculation. Whether 
any individuals bore part of the expense, docs not appear : 
but in 1664 the town hired some part of the premises for a 
watch-house. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

" A lowering storm, from envy brewing', 
Shall at a distance menace ruin ; 
Wliile slander, malice and detraction 
A host o) fiends shall bring in action." 

The Massachusetts colony originated in the commencement 
of the reign of King (Jharles 1. The true intent of their patent 
or charter was, that the government of the colony should be 
under a corporation in England. The great change which the 
company made, by transferring the government into New Eng- 
land, produced a cl;itnour against them, iind a (juo warranto 
was issued and jirosccutcd, and judgment obtained against 
the patentees in lG3o. But the troubles which were increas- 
ing in the kingdom, and other circumstances, prevented the 
execution, and no further demand was made during the 
life of the king. After various vain expedients to retain his 
authority, Charles was brought to a trial, condemned and be- 
headed on the 30th of January 1 649. The parliament of Scot- 
land took no part in this transaction, and formally protested 
against it. (Jn his death they proclaimed his son Charles II. 
their sovereign. Against him Oliver Cromwell maintained the 
lield, and destro3H'd the royal army at Worcester in Septem- 
ber 1651. I'jigland was now a sort of republick, and continu- 
ed so till April 1653, when Cromwell assumed the power ami 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 145 

became lord protector of the three kingdoms. He maintained 
his place till 1658, when he fell into disease and died, leaving 
the protectorate to his son Richard, who being utterly unfit 
for that hazardous situation resigned his office in April 1659. 
General Monk, taking advantage of the crisis, determined to 
make an effort to restore the exiled monarch, which was suc- 
cessful, and Charles II. was proclaimed in London, May 29, 
1660. 

The news of this fact arrived in July, but the government 
did not think proper to proclaim the king here at that time. 
In November, official information was received from Mr. Lev- 
erelt, the colony's agent, that petitions and complaints were 
preferred against the colony to the king and to the parliament. 
Thereupon the governour and assistants met and prepared a 
very loyal address, which was very graciously received and 
answered in February, 1661. There was, notwithstanding, no 
small degree of fear, lest the revolution ir. England should pro- 
duce as great a change in the form of their government, both in 
church and state. A sort of prudential committee was ap- 
pointed, to consider what measures the state of things requir- 
ed to be taken, which produced a declaration of rights and 
duties, which was adopted by the court.* The king was 
proclaimed and acknowledged in August, but this submission 
did not cause all their difficulties to subside. Further com- 
plaints were made, and an order w^as received from the king, 
that some persons should be sent over to make answer. Mr. 
Bradstreet, one of the assistants, and Mr. John Norton, teach- 
er of the first church, were sent, and were well received. 
They made but a short stay,and returned with a letter from the 
king. It offered to confirm and renew the charter and other 
privileges, which all thought very favourable ; but then it 
required among other things, that all, who desired it, should 
have liberty to use the book of common prayer, and perform 
their devotions according to the service established in Eng- 
land ; and that all freeholders of competent estates, though of 
different persuasions concerning church government, should be 
electors, and be eligible to all offices for which their wisdom, 
virtue and integrity qualified them. The old law of 1631 had 
been enforced by authority in 1660, making church members 
the only freemen ; and these requirements entered the sanctum 
sanctorum of our fathers' prejudices, and were admitted with 
reluctance. The agents met with a very unkind reception on 
their retur-n. Mr.Norton died soon after (April 5, 1663) of an 
apoplectick fit : his friends attributed his death to the treatment 



^ See Hutch, vol. 1. app. No. lH 

19 



146 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

he experienced : the Quakers pronounced it a judgment of 
God upon him, for the pari he had taken in their persecution.* 

The years 1061 and I660 afforded the people greater occa- 
sion for fears, than they had met with, at any time before. 
Their compliance with the requisitions of the king's letter were 
so slow, that his Majesty determined to send over several gen- 
tlemen of distinction, with a commission to hear and determine 
all matters of complaint, and to settle the peace and security 
of the country, according to their discretion. With such pow- 
ers, four commissioners arrived in July, 1664. They were Col. 
Richard Nichols, Geo. Carlwright, esq. Sir Robt. Carr, and 
Sam'l. Maverick, esq : the latter an implacable enemy to the 
colony, ever after an unsuccessful petition was ]5referred by 
him and others for certain privileges in 1646. They had va- 
rious charges to advance and many demands to make of the 
government here : numerous interviews took place, and dift'er- 
ences in opinions about mutual rights were unavoidable. 
Nothing definitive was effected by their labour ; the commis- 
sioners had to deal with men, who were their equals in knowl- 
edge, and their superiors in every other qualification. Some 
light is thrown upon the characters of both by the following 
story. 

' The commissioners with other gentlemen meeting some- 
times at a publick house in Boston, called the Ship tavern (it 
was at the corner of Clark and Ann streets, then kept by 
John Vyal, vintner,) one of the constables, named Arthur 
Mason, expected to find them there upon a Saturday evening, 
which would have been a breach of law ; but before he 
came, they had adjourned to 31r. KcUond's, a merchant, who 
lived opposite to the tavern. Another constable, who had 
been at the tavern before, had been beaten by them. Mason, 
who had more courage and zeal, went into the company with 
his staff and told them he was glad to see them there, for if 
he had found them on the other side the street he would have 
carried them all away; and added that he wondered they 
should be so uncivil as to beat a constable and abuse authori- 
ty. Sir Robert Carr said, it was he that beat him, and that he 
would do it again. Mason replied, that he thought his Majes- 
ty's commissioners would not have beaten his Majesty's offi- 
cers, and that it was well for them that he was not the con- 
stable who found them there, for he would have carried them 
before authority. Sir Robert asked, if he dare 7ne(hlU' u-ilh 
the kind's commissioners ? Yes, says Mason, and if tJte king 
himself had been there, I zconld have carried him axvaij. Upon 
which, Maverick cried out. Treason ! Mason, tliou shalt be 



' Mr. Norton k-lt 10 i>ouuUb by will lo tlic poor of Dofloii. 



HISTORY OF i;OSTO!V. 147 

hanged within a twelvemonth ! Sir Robert Carr spake to Sir 
Thomas Temple and some others of the company, to take 
notice of what passed ; and the next day Maverick sent a 
note to Mr. Bellingham, the governour, charging Mason with 
high treason for the words spoken, and requiring the gover- 
nour to secure him. The governour appointed a time for Ma- 
verick to coaie to his house, and to oblige himself to prosecute 
the constable at the next court of assistants ; but Maverick, 
instead of appearing, thought proper only to send another note, 
promising to appear against the constable, and charge him 
home, and therefore required his person should be secured. 
The governour thought it advisable to cause Mason to recog- 
nize, as principal, in five hundred pounds, with two suftllcient 
sureties in two hundred and fifty each, for his appearance ; 
but the day before the court, Maverick sent another note to 
the governour, desiring to withdraw his charge, being " satis- 
fied that although the words were rash and inconsiderate, yet 
there was no premeditated design in Mason to ofler any inju- 
ry to the king or his government." The governour returned 
for answer, " the affair was of too high a nature for him to 
interpose in, Mason being bound over to answer." Upon his 
appearance a bill was laid before the grand jury, wherein he 
was charged with maliciously and treasonably uttering the 
treasonable words mentioned. According to liberty taken 
by grand juries at that day, they only found '" that the words 
cliarged were spoken ;" and Mason being brought upon trial, 
and the words fully proved, the court of assistants suspen- 
ded judgment, and referred the cause to the next general 
court, where it was resolved, that although the words were 
rash, insolent, and highly offensive, yet, as his accusers and 
witnesses all cleared him from any overt act, or evil intended 
against the king, the court did not see cause to adjudge him a 
capital offender, but sentenced him to be admonished in sol- 
emn manner by the governour.' 

Sir Robert Carr was in his turn summoned by Mr. Leverett 
to appear at his house, with his man James Deane, and answer 
to a complaint exhibited against them for ' royatous and abu- 
sive carriage to one of his Majesty's officers, Richard Bennet, 
one of the constables of the town, that the honour and author- 
ity of H. M. or his officers, may be preserved, with the great- 
est respect to yourself the case will admit of.' We find no 
record of the result. 

The commissioners drew up a report, in which they speak of 
Boston as ' the chief town in the colony, seated upon a penin- 
sula, in the bottom of a bay, which is a good harbour and full 
offish. It was fortified this year, 1666, with two block houses 
— Their houses are generally wooden, their streets crooked 
with little decency and no uniformity ; and there, neither 



148 niSTORY OF BOSTOT. 

months, days, seasons of the year, churches nor inns are 
known by their Englisli names. — One of the king's loyal sub- 
jects was derided for being so civil as to accompany a com- 
missioner from the town where he lived to Boston, and others 
in Boston derided those of Rhode Island, for having yielded 
so much to the commissioners. 

' At our tirst coming over, many untruths were raised and 
sent into the colonies — M.ijor Hawthorne made a seditious 
speech at the head of his company, and the late governour* 
another at their meeting house in Boston ; but neither of them 
■were so much as questioned for it by any of the magistrates.' 
The town had for several years given instructions to their 
deputies in the general court. The first on record are those 
for the year 1665, and are not without interest, as exhibiting 
the first pubiick act of Boston in support of 'just privileges.' 

May 4. 1665. Instructions for the deputies, it is agreed to 
present these ensuing : 

First, that there may be an amicable compliance with his 
Majesty's hon. commissioners according as duty to God and 
allegiance to H. i\I. obligeth, without any receding from our 
just privileges according to the patent. 

2dly. Inasmuch as the number of freemen in this town of 
B. (consisting of tow distinct churches,) is very large, that 
either the number of deputies their representatives may be 
enlarged, according to proportion of freemen, or that there may 
be [?] show deputies. 

3dly. That whereas there be divers ofllces, as sealers of 
leather, &c. who after election by law os'- to be sworn to 
the execution thereof, who yet refuse the same, that there may 
be some penalty inflicted upon the refuser of the same, that so 
the work may not be frustrated. 

4thly- That whereas the standard for weights in towns 
exceeds not four pounds, that it may be enlarged to 56lb. 
weight, whereby fraud may be prevented in greater drafts. 

5thly. That whereas for the future there may be more use 
of bricks than formerly, for pievention of damage ; that the 
law relating to tiles may be enlarged to bricks, as to clay they 
are made of, and that there may be a size appointed for their 
dimension, and that their moulds may be shod, ^c.' 

The representations of the commissioners produced another 
letter from the king, dated April 10, 1666, and requiring that 
five persons, of whom Gov. Bellingham and Major Harlhorne 



* Gov. Endirol dieil March 2o, lUbj. Ilu had made Boston bis plate of residence for 
tome time. His will is dated here May 2, IUS9, uiiil speaks of (lie house he lived in, which 
wiu on the lot uow occupied by Ciurdiuer Greene, e^fl. He left fuur i>ound< to the poor of 
Boffon. 



HISTORY OF BOSTO.V. 149 

were to be two, should be sent over to answer for the conduct 
of the colony. The court excused themselves with much 
sagacity from a compliance with this demand. An increase 
ofiroubles at home directed the kinj^ and council's attention 
from the colonics, and the people here had a respite on thesp 
matters till 1675. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

We see the ground whereon these woes do lie, 
But the true ground of all these piteous woes 
We cannot without circumstance descry. 

Romeo and Juliets 

Some few of the first settlers in New En!2;land were persons 
inclined to the sentiments of the Baptists, and the rulers of the 
colony had used every effort to check the spread of their opin- 
ions. Some thqy fined : some they whipped : some they im- 
prisoned : some they banished : and some were subjec- 
ted year after year to ecclesiastical discipline, and delivered 
up to Satan for not hearing the church. 

But now, the king's commissioners, having declared that 
they would have liberty given to all sorts and sects of men, 
the baptists in and near Boston took advantage of their pres- 
ence and formed a society, which was the origin of the First 
Baptist church.* The first record on their books gives the 
following account of this transaction : 

^The 28th of the 3d Month, in 1665, in Charlcstown, 
Massachusetts, the Church of Christ, commonly (though falsely) 
called Anabaptists, were gathered together and entered into 
fellowship and communion with each other; engaging to walk 
together in all the appointments of their Lord and Master, the 
Lord Jesus Christ, as far as he should be pleased to make 
known his mind and will unto them by his word and spirit ; 
and then, were baptized Thomas Gould, Thomas Osborne, 
Edward Drinker, John George — and joined with Richard 
Goodall, William Turner, Robert Lambert, Mary Goodall, 
Mary Newell, who had walked in that order in Old-England 
— and to whom God hath joined since, Isaac Hull, John Far- 
num, Jacob Barney, John Russell, jun. John Johnson, George 
Farlovv, Benjamin Sweetser, Mrs. Sweetser, all before Ellis 
Callender who was received Nov. 9, 1669.' 



' This was the first church of the <lenoraination in Massachusetts proper : there had been 
one in Rebobotb, which was then in Piymouth colony, since 1663. 



150 ^ HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

This act of the baptists was in defiance of a standing law 
of the colony, as the formation of the first church had been 
contrary to a law of the kingdom. Shortly after the depar- 
ture of the commissioners, Aug. 20, a warrant was issued to 
the constable of Charlestown to labour to discover where 
these people were assembled, and to require them to attend 
the established worship ; upon refusal to do this, they were 
brought before the court of assistants in September, when 
they presented a confession of faith, setting forth their distin- 
guishing sentiments.* The court were not satisfied, but de- 
clared Mr. Gould and his company' to be no orderly church 
assembly, and sentenced them to be disfranchised, and on con- 
viction of any further meetings, to be committed to prison. 
In April of the next year they were again indicted for non-at- 
tendance on publick worship, and plead their own constant 
meetings in defence. This w^as considered an aggravation, 
and Gould, Osborne and George were fined £4 each, and or- 
dered to give bonds for their appearance at the next court. 
This they refused, and were therefore committed to prison. 
They remained in confinement, for a long time, making occa- 
sionally appeals for release, but in vain. In IMarch, 1G68, 
Gould appealed for himself, but the court of assistants again 
affirmed the judgment against him, and he was recommitted. 
But the same court appointed him and his associates a day to 
hold a publick dispute in defence of their principles, ' for 
their orderly conviction by the labours of some of the rever- 
end elders.' When the day arrived, April 14th, the baptists 
appeared with some of their friends from Newport, and the 
six selected divines were attended by the governour and oth- 
er magistrates and ministers. A memorandum of the proceed- 
ings is preserved in the Historical Librar}', but as it remains 
undeciphered, we can only say that 'the conference seems 
from the quick alternation of the dialogue, as the speakers' 
names indicate, to have been more animated than might have 
been expected, but the elocjuencc and argument of each is lost 
in an impartial oblivion.' The result was more palpable. In 
the following May, Gould, Turner and Farnum were ordered 
to remove from the jurisdiction before the 20th of July ; and 
if seen after that lime, they were to be thrown into prison, and 
there to remain without bail or mainprise. Mr. Gould was 
thereupon set at liberty, that he might prepare to go into ban- 
ishment : in the mean white, the court ordered that no meet- 
ing should be held or ordinances administered, 'ihc bap- 
tists were determined to suller imprisonment rather than go 
into exile. One of them, Turner, lay in prison Nov.1670, and 
warrants were then in two marshals' hands against Mr.CiouId, 

' Rev Ml-, lyinchtll'i Jul)il«c jcruiou. 



HISTORY or BOSTON. ijl 

but he was not then taken ' because he lived on Noddle's 
Island, and they waited to take him at town.' Many mlluen- 
tial men in the town ' laboured abundantly as if it had been 
for their best friends in the world to obtain their release,' and 
from the documents left on record, we should suppose the op- 
position to this church was more from the country than from the 
people of Boston.* The church at this time held their meet- 
ing at Noddle's Island every sabbath : Mr. Gould officiated 
as their pastor,and John Russell, senior, who had joined them 
from Woburn, held the office of elder. This Mr. Russell and 
another of their members by the name of Foster, were con- 
fined in prison for nearly six months in 1672, and in the spring 
of 1673, two others were fined for withdrawing from the pub- 
lick meetings. 

Gov. BelUngham, who had been opposed to the baptists, had 
died Dec.7, 1672, and was succeeded at the May election by 
Maj. Gen. John Leverett, who had always objected to the 
measures pursued against them : and one oftheir number writes 
in Jan. 1674, ' the church of the baplized do peaceably enjoy 
their liberty !' Their pastor died in October, 1675. Encour- 
aged by the lenity of Gov. Leverett's administration, they re- 
solved, in Jan. 1678, to erect a place of worship in Boston. 
They proceeded with so much caution in building their house, 
that it was not known for what purpose it v\as erected until it 
was completed. After it v/as finished, the church purchased the 
house, with the land it was built upon, of Philip Squire and 
Ellis Callender for £60 ; and they met in it for worship on 
the 15th of February, 1679. It was situated on part of the 
lot now owned and occupied by the church, nearer to the 
street than the present meeting-house stands. 'J'he society 
did not enjoy it long unmolested ; in May, their leaders were 
convented before the court and admonished, and an order was 
then passed that no meetings should be held in any house, 
erected without the consent of the town in which it might be, 
on penalty of forfeiture or demolition. They therefore re- 
frained from meeting, (in the mean time ordaining Mr.Russell 
as their pastor) until another letter came, July 24, 1679, froTi 
the king, forbidding that any of his subjects, not being papists, 
should be subjected to fines or forfeitures or other incapacities 
for serving God in the way they might desire. Then they 
ventured to meet again ; and again they were summoned to 



* A petition (which see in Backus i. 380) was offered to the court in behalf of the prisoners. 
Henry Shrimpton, who died after the 17thof July,1666, when he made his will, left 10 pounds 
' to the society of christians that doth now meet at Noddle's Island, of wliich is Gould and 
Osbom and the rest, as a token of my love.^ Mr. S. left property worth 10,000/. of which he 
gave some to each of the other churches, and 50/. to the town, on condition that he might be 
buried in the tomb with his former wife, otherwise nothing-. 



152 HISTORY or BOSTOX. 

desist, and the court ordered the marshal to nail up the house, 
which he did on March 8, 1680, and posted on tiie door a 
paper in these woids : 

' All persons are to take notice, that hy order of the Court, 
the doors of this house are shut up, and that they are inhibited 
to hold any meeting therein, or to open the doors thereof, 
without license from authority, till the Court take further or- 
der, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.' 

' The church met in the yard, next Lord's day, and in the 
week ensuing erected a temporary covering ; but coming the 
second Lord's day, they found the doors of the house open, 
and they continued meeting in it till the General Court met in 
May following, when, having been admonished in open Court, 
by the Governour, and charged not to meet in their house, 
they were dismissed ; and the Court agreed to suspend any 
further proceedings against them. 

Thus were the baptists ' left to worship God as they chose, 
although the law forbade it; but neither the church nor the 
rulers afterwards regarded this prohibition.' 

While the baptists were thus earnestly contending for the 
application of baptism to believers on!}', a question arose 
among the pedobaptists themselves, of most peculiar ' exercise 
and concernment respecting the ecclesiastical state of their 
posterity.' To some unpleasant disagreements on this sub- 
ject is to be traced the origin of the Old South Church. 

In 1657 the first church had voted, that it was the duty of a 
church to exercise church power regularly over the children 
of their members, who had been baptized in infancy, and to 
take care that their life and knowledge might be answerable 
to the engagement made by their relatives. This duty they 
put into practice. This opinion was sanctioned by a council, 
and another proposition was adopted, which gave to such per- 
sons the right to bring their children for baptism, on condition 
of their owning the covenant before the church, though they 
might not have sufhcicnt confidence of their own regeneration, 
to justify themselves in partaking of the sacrament. This 
was the commencement of the half-wa}'^ covenant. 

Some persons feared that a consecjuence of adopting this 
rule would be, that before the churches sliould he aware, 
' a worldly part of mankind might carry all things into such 
a course of proceeding, as would be very disagreeable unto 
the kingdom of heaven.' Among those who were of thiso[)in- 
jon was the Ren. John i^avcnport, of New Haven, it hapjicn- 
ed very singularly that the first church, which had acteil on 
the |)rinciples recommended by the synod, and whose pastor, 
Mr. Wilson, had decidedly approved them, should, when call- 
ed to fill the vacancy occasioned by his death, choose Mr. 
Davenport. Yet so the major part did, in opposition to a 



IIHTOHY OF M08T0IV, 1 &3 

large minority. Mr. Davenport accepted their invitation, 
and lie and tlie Rev. Jiuncs Allen, fruni Enghind, were or- 
dained, tlic lorrner as [jastor, and llie lallcr as teacher of the 
church, on the '.nh oJ lieceniljer, IG08. 'J'his step created so 
great a division, that the minority withdrew, and lornied a 
new society, by the advice of ' councils fetched from other 
churches in the nei^hhonrhood.' 

Tlie names of the thirty ' brethren which came olTand laid 
the foundation of the third [[(cdobaptisl] church, partly on 
May 12, and partly on May 10, UJfJO, were Capl. Win. Da- 
vis, Messrs. Ilez. iislxr, John Hull, Kdw. Raynsford, Peter 
Bracket, Jacob Kliot, IVtei- Oliver, 'I'ho. Rrattle, Kdw. Itaw- 
son, J. Scoltow, Benja. Gibbs ; Major '1'. Savage, Messrs. Jo. 
Rocke, Theodore Atkinson, John Wing, J(ichard Truesdale, 
Theophilus Frarye [afid] R. Walker, John Aldin, lienja. 
Thuj-ston, Win. Salter, John Morse, Josiah Reh her, Seih I'er- 
ry, Jas. I'emberton, Win. iJawcft, Jo. IJavis, Mr. 'l'homa« 
That her [and] Joseph Relknap.' 

The heading of iht ir (ovenani* says the ehurcli was gath- 
ered in Charlcstown, on the 1 2th of May, ItJti'j, In July a 



* Covenant of the Old South Church. 

We wliose names are underwritten, being called of God U> join tcigelUer into a eiiiii cli, iu 
heart 6eiit>e o( our unwurtljiiieea lliereuf, disaliility llierL-uiito, and aplneiitt to forntilie ibe 
Lord, cast off biii government, and neglect our duly one Ut anotlier, do in llie name of J. C 
our L. trusting only in liib grace and lielp, solemnly bind ourbelves togetlier as in tlic |>res- 
ence of Uod, consuntly ui walk together as a clili. of Clirisi, according tu all tliui>e lioiy 
rules of God's word given to a chli. body rigbtly establ. so far as we already know them, 
or they shall be hereafter farther ma<le known unto us. And |)articularly, we do Arsl of all 
ace. u> the tenor of the everl. cov. give u\i ourselves and our off^t. unto God our chief yea 
only good : unl<> our L. J. 0. as the only mediator, our only spoil. Ueaxl and Lord, receiving 
and relying on him not only as our h. (>. for satisf. and iuterc. but also a^ our |iro|>lt£t Ui t. 
and King to reign over us, and unto the (I. S. to be a temple to him, that by bis dwelling 
and working in us we may have and be cbtabl. in fellowship with God in C. and one with 
another. And for ihe fund, of ibis blessed fp. we do likewise promise to end. to establ. am. 
ourselves and ojnvey down tii post, all the holy truths and ordin. of the g. conmiitted to the 
cblis. in faith and observance, opi^Kjsing to the utm. of our chh. power whatever is diversi; 
therefrom or cout. thereto. Also we do give up ours, unto one an. in the L. and by the will 
of G. hereby prom'g to cleave one U> an. as fellow m. of the same b. in brotherly I. and lioly 
walchf. unto mutual ed. in C. J. ^nd tti be subj. in and for the L. to all the adin. and cen- 
sures of thecongr. so far as the same shall be ord. ace. Ui lite rules of God's most holy v^. 
k finally we do bby, cov. and prom. tbro. tlie belp of llie same grace t<) liolil, promote & 
maint. sisterly fp. and Miniu. with all tlie chli. of sainu in all those holy ways of order app. 
betw. ym. by our L. J. C. to our utmost, esp. wt. those among wh. tlie L. bath set us ; tliat 
the L. may be one and liis n. one iu all tliese chh. tbio'oul all gen. Ui bis et. gl. in (J. J- 
And now the good Lord be merciful unto us, pardg. ace. to tiie greatness of bis gr. as all 
our past sins so esp. our chli. sins in negligence k unfreq. of former enjoym. it accept as a. 
sweet savour in J. C. this our offg. up oursv. unto him in tbis work— filling ibis bis liouas 
with \tS% own glory — making ue failbf. M himself, k oue unto an. ace. to bimi'elf, for liis boly 
name ?aUe. Amen. 

20 



154 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

council was called by Gov. Bellingham, ' fearing,' as he says 
in the order, ' a sudden tumult ; some persons attempting to 
set up an edifice for publick worship, which is apprehended 
by authority to be detrimental to the publick peace.' But 
the council thought best not to interpose any farther than to 
caution those, who were about to erect the house, to conform 
to the laws on that subject, 'i'hey accordingly applied to 
the selectmen, who passed a vote 2G, S, 1669, ' that there is 
need of another meeting-house to be erected in this town ;' 
though they judged it did not belong to them to determine the 
placing of it. 'J'hc house was erected on the spot where the 
Old South now stands, and the abovenamed Mr. Thacher 
was installed as pastor of the church, Feb. 16, 1670.* 

Mr, T. was from Salisbury in England, where his father, 
Mr. Peter Thacher, was minister. He arrived in this coun- 
try in 1635, at the age of fifteen, and received his education 
under Mr. Charles Chauncy, who was afterwards president 
of the college. In 16 44 he was settled at Weymouth, where 
he remained more than twenty years, till after the death of 
his first wife, when upon marrying a second, who belonged to 
Boston, he removed hither, and engaged himself in the prac- 
tice of physick, to which he had devoted considerable atten- 
tion : this he did not entirely relinquish, after he became 
pastor of the Old South. He was the author of the first med- 
ical tract which appeared in this state, which was a discourse 
on the subject of the small-pox and measles, published 1677. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



Sermons in stones, and good iu every thing. 

Shalspeare. 

We shall devote this chapter to a variety of miscellaneous 
facts, which were interesting at the time of their occurrence. 

The following useful regulation is found in the town records, 
March 14, 1664. For the more orderly and deliberate car- 
rying on of the aflairs of the town, it is ordered, that hence- 
forth there shall be no alteration made in the way of elec- 
tions, or other matters of moment and publick concernment, 
that hath not been duly considered of, and proposed at a pub- 



' Mrs. Norton had ronvoycd the Innd to several of the above gcntiemcn io their .T^sOfial' 
capacity', by a deed, A|>ril 1, ibtif. 



HISTORY OF liOSTON. 156 

Jick town meeting, orderly called, before the meeting when 
the final determination shall be put to vote. 

ELEVEN o'clock BELL. 

The origin of our eleven o'clock bell is found under date 
of 23. 5. 1664. ' For the more convenient and expeditious 
despatch of merchants' [and maritime] atfairs, or any other 
relating to strangers or our inhabitants, it is ordered that the 
bell shall be rung at eleven of the clock every working day, 
to give notice thereof to all persons concerned ; and that the 
ringer shall be allowed 12c?. a year by every person that 
commonly resorts thereunto, and that they may assemble in 
the room under the Town-house, for the space of one hour, 
for the ends above expressed.' 

NORTH AND SOUTH BATTEllIES. 

Some of the letters from the king in 1665 had recommend- 
ed to the court to fortify against the Dutch and other enemies ; 
how faithfully they obeyed, appears in the subjoined report, 
which is found in the colony records for 1666, p. 222. 

' We the subscribers being appointed a committee by the 
Hon. Court, to view the batteries lately erected by Maj. Gen. 
John Leveretl, with the advice of the committee of the militia 
in Boston, accordingly attended to that service, and under the 
conduct of the said Maj. General we entered a well contrived 
fort called Boston Sconce, the artillery whereof is of good 
force and well mounted, the gimner attending the same. 
The form thereof is suitable to the place, so as to scour the 
harbour to the full length of their shot every way ; it is spa- 
cious within, that the traverse of one gun will not hinder the 
other's course; and for defence the foundation is of stone, and 
well banked with earth, for dulling the shot, and hindering 
execution. Finally, we apprehend it to be the complctesl ivork 
of the kind, which hitherto hath been ordered in this country. 
We also took survey of another work, on the north side of 
Boston, called Merry's point, raised with stones ; the founda- 
tion is defended from the violence of the sea with spyles and 
planks ; the wall of a considerable thickness, yet less so than 
by reason of the sharp edges next the cannon, and 
wideness of the ports within, which (being faced with strong 
timber as intended) will be much better. To conclude, we 
judge the defence to be considerable, and the offence to be 
available (by God's blessing) for the thing intended, for which 
the actors and contrivers, whereof Maj. Gen. L. hath been 
the chief, both in contriving, acting and disbursing, deserve 
the thanks of this court and all due encouragement. Boston 
Sconce hath nine guns mounted and four more intended with- 



]56 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

out, and seven at Merrjp's point.' Then follows a vote of 
thanks to Gen. L. and £]00 grant for his services. 

DEATH AND CHARACTER OF REV. MR. WILSON. 

The death of Mr. Wilson, the first pastor of the First 
Church, occurred in 1667, on the 7th. of August, in the 79th 
year of his age. He left an amiable character, and is repre- 
sented as one of the most humble, pious, and benevolent men. 
Cotton Mather, who tells us he never would sit for his like- 
ness, says ' if the picture of this good, and tlicrein great man, 
were to be exactly given, great zeal with great love would be 
the two principal strokes, that joined with orthodoxy should 
make up his portraiture.' He was the son of Dr. Wilson, a 
prebend of St. Paul's in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and 
received his education at King's college, Cambridge. His 
colemporaries considered him an excellent poet, though noth- 
ing which he has left behind would lead us to form that opin- 
ion of him. His principal forte lay in the making of ana- 
grams upon the n.'imes of his friends, and the happy faculty 
he possessed, of Hatlering them in that way for their virtues, 
probably gained him their compliments in return. . His heart 
Avas full of compassion for the distressed and of aft'ection for 
all : his house was renowned for hospitality, and his purse 
was continually emptying itself into the hands of the needy. 
This disposition was so remaikable, that it could not escape 
unnoticed. One day as he was ]ircsent at a general muster 
of the military corps, a gentleman standing by said to him, 
' Sir, I'll fell you a great thing : hcre''s a mighty body of people, 
and there is not seven of them all, hut ichat lores J\Jr. IVilson.^ 
On which he instantly and pleasantlj'' replied, ' Sir, Vll tell 
you as good a thing as that : herc''s a mighty body of people, and 
there is not so much as one of them all but J\!r. H ilso7i loves 
him.^ The witty Mr. Ward, (the simple cobler.) passed a 
very neat encomium on him, when he gave as an anagram of 
his name, I tray come in, you are ukaktii.y wkixome. And 
the following lines upon his hearse are fii- from being inex- 
pressive, though ' some thought the Muses looked very much 
dissatisfied' at them: 

^)ia.','»-(iiii. 

JOHN WILSON. 

Oh I f hiinpe it not : no swit-ti-r name or tliinp, 
Tliruughout llif worlil, williiii our ears sbull linp. 

JUagnalia- 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 157 

Mr. Wilson met with his share of the difficulties of the wil- 
derness. He lost his houses several times by fire ; buriet^ 
his wife and some of his children and grand children, under 
trying circumstances ; outlived two of his friends and asso- 
ciates in the ministerial office ; saw errours stalking into the 
churches, in forms which appeared to him dreadful in the ex- 
treme; and died lamenting, that the zeal and pious devotion of 
the first generation had died with them, and that theirchildren 
promised nothing better than to prove degenerate plants. He 
left a little property, which was valued at £419. 145. 6d, and 
distributed it in small portions to many individuals, not for- 
getting the poor of his own church. The foregoing fac simile 
represents the signature to his will.* 

SIGNS OF THE TIMES. 

The relation of an incident in 1668 will show us the char- 
acter of the age. ' There appeared a meteor in the heavens 
in the beginning of March, in the form of a spear, of a bright 
colour, something thicker in the midst than at either end. It 
was seen several nights together, in the west, about half an 
hour within night : it stood stooping, one end pointing towards 
the setting of the sun, and moved downwards by little and 
little, till it descended beneath the horizon.' This and some 
other occurrences excited the magistrates to make an effort 
towards ' a reformation of manners :' for it was observed, 
that the youth of the age had degenerated very much from 
the strictness of their fathers. A brief was therefore issued 
to all the ministers in the colony, urging them to a more strict 
performance of their duty of visiting and instructing families, 
with the hope, that ' the effectual and constant prosecution 
hereof will have a tendency to promote the salvation of souls, 
to suppress the growth of sin and profaneness, to beget more 
love and unity among the people, and more reverence and 
esteem of the ministry, and it will assuredly be to the enlarge- 
ment of your crown, and recompense in eternal glory.' 

It is evident, that the face of society was now becoming 
changed, and so strongly marked, that the line was plainly 
to be drawn, between those who maintained a regard for 
primitive holiness, and those who preferred to follow the in- 
clination of their own hearts. This comports well with the 
observation of Hutchinson, that the colony about this time 
(1669) made a greater figure than it ever did at any other 
lime. Their trade was as extensive as they could wish : no 



* " 1668. May 3. Dorchester chh. records. Role-on-God, the son of Mr. John Cotton, is 
baptized by virtue of communion of churches : his father being a member of the church at 
Boston, hut there is no ojftcer there to dispense the ordinance at present." 



168 UISTOUY 01? liUSTOK. 

custom-house was established. The acts of parhament of the 
12th and 15th of king Charles II. for regulating the planta- 
tion trade were in force,* but the governour, whose business it 
was to carry them into execution, was annually to be elected 
by the people, whose interest it was that they should not be 
observed. Some of the magistrates and principal merchants 
grew very rich, and a spirit of industry and economy prevail- 
ed through the colony.' 

DEATH AND CHARACTER OF REV. MR. DAVENPORT. 

The first church lost their senior pastor, on the 1 1 th. of 
March 1670, Mr. Davenport dying suddenly of apoplexy, 
aged 72. 'Although his career in Boston was short and 
troublous, it had been long and glorious in New-England. 
Few men were better qualified for planting the gospel in a 
new world, and seldom has any man made a happier use of 
his natural and moral energies. His intrepidity saved king 
Charles' judges, Whalley and Goffe, who fled to New-Haven, 
in 1661, and who were hidden in his house, whilst he was 
preaching in publick, before the officers in pursuit of them, a 
sermon from the following words : " Take counsel; execute 
judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the 
noon day : hide the outcasts ; bewray not him that wandcr- 
cth ; let mine outcasts dwell with thee. Moab, be thou a 
covert to them from the face of the spoiler." Mr. D. agreed 
in sentiment with Mr. Cotton respecting the civil as well as 
religious polity of the bible, and endeavoured a system of 
order, which should nearly correspond with the Hebrew 
institutes and the usages of the primitive christians.' 

josselyn's description. 

Mr. Jossclyn, whose former travels are noted in page 82, 
visited Boston again in 1663 and was hereabouts till 1671, 
when he published the result of his inquiries. We give the 
substance of them, omitting somewhat, which he borrowed 
from Wood and Johnson. 

' Boston the metropolis of this colony,or rather of the whole 
country, is in longitude 315 deg. and 42 deg. 30 min. of north 
latitude. The buildings are handsome, joining one to the 
other, as in London, with many large streets, most of them 
paved with pebble ; in the high street toward the common 
there are fair buildings, some of stone, nnd at the east end of 
the town, one among the rest, built by the shore, by Mr. 
Gibbs, a merchant ; being a stately edifice, which, it is 
thought, will stand him in little loss than £3000, before it be 
fully finished. The houses are for the most part raised upon 

* These acts forbade the introiUirtion of foreign produce, except from Eii2;Ian(l. 



HISTORY 0¥ BOSTON. 139 

the sea banks, and wharfed out with great industry and cost, 
many of them standing on piles [?] close together on each 
side of the streets as in London, and are furnished with many 
fair shops. 

' The town is not divided into parishes, yet they have three 
fair meeting-houses, or churches, which hardly suffice to re- 
ceive the inhabitants and strangers that come in from all 
parts. There is also a Town-house built upon pillars, where 
the merchants may confer : in the chambers above they hold 
the monthly courts. Here is the dwelling of the governour 
[Bellingham]. On the south there is a small but pleasant 
common, where the gallants, a little before sunset, walk with 
their marmalet madams as we do in Moor-fields, till the nine- 
o'clock bell rings them home to their respective habitations : 
when presently the constables walk the rounds to see good 
order kept and to take up loose people.' 

DEATH AND CHARACTEK, OF MR. BELLINGHAM. 

Gov. Bellingham, who from the time of his first arrival, in 
1635, had been an inhabitant of Boston, died Dec. 7, 1672. 
He appears to have been a popular man, and was strongly 
attached to the liberties of the people. He was by education 
a lawyer. As a man he was benevolent, upright, and active 
in business : it is always mentioned as a singular part of his 
character, that he would never take a bribe. As a christian 
he was devout, zealous, and attentive to external forms. In 
politicks, he leaned rather to the democratick side, but in the 
church was a violent opposer of the new sects, that contended 
for religious freedom. He was sometimes subject to melan- 
choly and mental derangement, lived to the age of 80 years, 
and was the only surviving patentee named in the charter. 
His will left a large property for charitable and pious uses, 
but it was made in such a manner, that, after some years' 
dispute, the general court thought it necessary to supply the 
defects of it, by making a disposition of his estate themselves.* 

THE OLD WHARVES. 

We gather the history of the origin of the Old Wharfs 
so called, from the following documents : 

' Boston, N. E. Sept. 10, 1673. Whereas the Honourable 
Council of this jurisdiction have lately recommended to the 
consideration of the selectmen of this tOAvn, the necessity of 
erecting a wall or wharf, upon the flats before the town, 
from the Sconce to Capt. Scarlett's wharf, or using some 

* ' March 21. 1673, the castle, at the entrance of Boston harbour, being- of timber, was 
burnt down by accident. A new fortress of stone waserecteti. saW theuto be a strong- woil..' 



160 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

other means for securing the town IVom fireships, in case of 
the approach of an enemy, wuich the selectmen represented 
to the inhabitants, at a publick meeting, Sept. 5, 1673 ; and 
whereas the said inhabitants did on that day, by two publick; 
\oies, first deny to have the said work carried on ai the pub- 
lick charge of the town, and secondly, did grant and give 
power to the selectmen, that they might order and dispose of 
the flats before the town, from the Sconce aforesaid to Capt. 
S.'s wharf for the better security of the town, as they shall 
think best — Now the aforesaid selectmen, having taken into 
their serious consideration the necessity of something to be 
ilone to the end aforesaid, and of some way of encouragement 
to such as shall undertake so great a work, do propound to 
the inhabitants of this town as followeth : 

1. That a wall or wharf of wood or stone be erected from 
the said sconce to Capt. Scarlett's wharf, which is in length 
about 2200 ft. ; that it be made in breadth 22 ft. at bottom, 
and to be raised 6 feet high ?.■ the least, with all expedition i 
and afterwards as soon as may be to add thereto in height, as 
shall be judged convenient for a breastwork to play guns on, 
which is supposed to be 14 or 15 ft. high in all, and so car- 
ried up to be 20 ft. broad at the top, to be made substantial 
and uniform, and continued and maintained at the cost and 
charge of the undertakers according to these propositions. 

2. For encouragement hereunto the said selectmen of this 
town of B. in l)ehalf of themselves and their successors in the 
office, do, according to the power committed to them, hereby 
order and declare, first, that such of the inhabitants of this 
town as shall undertake and carry on the said work 
as above expressed, shall possess and enjo^^ and herel)y is 
granted to them, their heirs and assigns forever, all those flats 
that lie before the town, between the town and the said wall 
or wharf so to be buili ; 200 feet whereof back towards the 
town, and next adjacent to said wall or wharf, shall be free 
for them the said undertakers to build w harves and warehou- 
ses upon as they shall see cause, proportionably in breadth 
to what they build on in the front : the remainder to be for 
dock or shelter for ships or vessels : 

Except always, and it is hereby reserved to such of the pres- 
ent abutters or borderers on the said flats, as shall come in 
undertakers of said w. or wh. and carry an end the 
same in convenient time, with the rest of the u. that they shall 
have liberty of carrying out their present wharves, before 
their own land, in proportion with others about 100 ft. beyond 
the lion. (lov. Lovcrett's and Mr. Alford's present wharves, 
and to improve it, for the best advantage of then), their heirs 
and assigns I'orcvor. as shall be slaked oui in a Ciniilar Line. 
according to a plot or map now taken of liie said cove : 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. IGl 

Reserving also to such others of the present abutters or 
borderers on the said flats, who refuse to join in the said wall 
or whf. aforesaid, liberty of egress and regress of vessels, and 
lying at their wharves for loading and unlading and graving 
before them. Secondly, 

That the said u. and carriers an end of said w. or whf. 
shall, according to and in proportion to what they build in 
front, have right, unto all income, advantages and emoluments 
that may arise or accrue, by dockage or anchorage of any 
such vessels as shall harbour or be secured within the said 
cove, as also by fishing within the said cove, or in the mouth 
thereof, and all other liberties and privileges, which may 
arise b}'^ virtue of this grant of the selectmen, between the 
said wharf or wall, now to be erected, and the wharves and 
docks now bordering on said flats, or to be made as above 
expressed, excrept what is reserved as above. It is further 
ordered and declared, that no man shall subscribe or under- 
take for less than twenty feet of said wall or wharf.' 

The foregoing propositions were signed by the selectmen ; 
for!y-one persons very soon undertook the work in parcels 
from 20 ft. to 1 20 feet in front, and their agreement ' being 
read to the council Nov. 1 1, 1673, it was accepted.' 

The circular line, uienti->ned in this document, is a very im- 
portant boundary at the present day. A question having 
arisen concerning it so soon as 1678, it was then, Oct. 28th, 
determined that the southernmost part of Capt. Scarlett's 
wharf is meant and understood to be the northerly bounds 
thereof, and the Sconce to be the southerly bounds, and 'from 
these two places lines to be run the nearest or shortest cut 
inlo the channel before the town, and the channel to be the 
eastern or easterly bounds, and the western or westerly to be 
100 ft. without the Hon. Gov. Lcverett's and Mr. Wm. Al- 
ford's wharf.' Gov. L.'s wharf was at that time the wharf on 
the south side of the bottom of State-street, and Mr. Alford's 
that on the north : the Long wharf has since been built be- 
tween them. Capt. Scarlett's wharf was that at the bottom of 
Fleet-street, and the Sconce was situated not far from the 
head of India wharf. 

Stupendous as this undertaking was, for the period when it 
w^as projected, it was carried into execution, and the proprie- 
tors received an act of incorporation from the council of the 
colony, May 11, 1681. Happily there never was occasion to 
employ the works for the ends for which they were designed ; 
no enemy having; ever passed the castle. The profits from the 
concern were found so small, that the wharves were soon suf- 
fered to go into decay, and no trace is now to be seen of 
them. We have been favoured with the use of a plan, taken 
after Long-wharf was built.which exhibits the cove and all the 
21 



162 mSTORV OF BOSTON. 

wharves between the two extremities of the circular line, the 
out winrf crossing the Lone; at the T. with a ' gap or passage 
of 80 ft. wide into the cove' on the north side of the T, and 
another narrower gap on the south side of Long wharf. 



CHAPTER XXVm. 



Or fig'hte witb mee, or lose thy lande, 
No better termes may bee. 

Rimuins 0/ Ancient Poclry, 

Whatever concerned the wrlHtre of the colony was deeply 
felt in Boston, and scenes were al)ont opening in 1G74, which 
kept alive the pviblick anxieiy from that time, till the colo- 
nial government was settled under a new charter. 

The Indians within the Massachusetts bounds were not sub- 
ject to one general sachem, fnit divided into smaller cantons 
or tribes. 'I'hese, one after another, had submitted them- 
selves to the jurisdiction of our govei-nment. There was the 
appearance of amity and good correspondence on all sides, 
and foi- forty yeni's together, the people had sulTci-ed no great 
concern from fears of any irruption. But about the year 
1670, suspicions were excited by some strange conduct on the 
part of the Indians, and measures of precaution were taken 
against them Pliilip, sachem of Mount Hoj)e, was the chief 
who was destined to give the greatest annoyance. He was a 
man of high spii-it, and could not he;ir to see the people of 
Plymouth colony extending their settlements over the domin- 
ions of his ancestors : and although his father had at one time 
or other conveyed to them all that they were possessed of, 
yet he had sense enough to distinguish a free, voluntary cov- 
enant from one made under a sort of duresse, and he could 
never rest until he brought on the war, which was to end in 
his destruction. 

While I-'hilip was making professions of peace and friend- 
ship, he was secretly lading a plot, that all the Indians should 
rise at once, in all fjuarters, in the spring of 1676, and drive 
the English entirely out of the land : but circumstances con- 
curred to brine o" a rupture at an earlier period, that ended 
in (\u\[v. a ditrtrent result. In this contest the people of Bos- 
ton took a very edicietit part, l^hilip's men made an attack 
on some [x rsons at Suansey, on the 2 1th of June, 1G75, and 
jnlormalion being immediately brought to Boston, a company 



^ HISTORY OF BOSTON. 163 

of foot under Cfupt. Daniel Henchman, and a troop of horse 
under Cnpt. Thomas Prentice were despatched to their relief 
on the 2Gth. An eclipse of the moon, which hrippened that 
evening, produced fearful discouragements in this little army. 
Some melancholy fancies imagined that they saw an unuj-ual 
black spot in her centre, resembling an Indian's scalp, and 
this brought to recollection other ominous signs. ' But after 
the moon had waded through the dark shadow of the earth, 
and borrowed her light again,' the two companies marched on 
and arrived at Swansey. within a quarter of a mile of Philip's 
dominions, some time before night on the 28th. A party of 
the Boston troop, unwilling to lose their lime, made an excur- 
sion into the enemy's territory, but were compelled to retreat 
with the loss of one man, VVm. Hammond, killed, and one 
man, corporal Belcher, wounded. 

The whole body of the forces (IVIass. and Plymouth) made 
a sally the next morning, crossf^d the bi-idge that led to Mt, 
Hope, and drovp the enemy before them, a mile and a quarter on 
the other side of it. ' Ensign Savage, that young martial spark,' 
says Hubbjrc!, ' scarce twenty years of age, had at that time 
one bullet lodged in his thigh, another shot through the brim 
of his hat, i»y ten or twelve of the enemy discharging upon 
him together, while he boldly held up his colours in the front 
of his company.' Major Savage arrived soon with supplies 
and took the command : Capt. Edw. Hutchinson also came 
up shortly after, with reinforcements and further orders from 
Boston. A few skirmishes routed the Indians in that quar- 
ter ; Philip fled to the western part of the colony, and some 
of our troops returned. Capt. Henchman started again from 
Boston, in November, with another company. Near to Men- 
don they heard of a party of Indians, and it was resolved to 
give them a camisado, as they called it, in their wigwams. 
The captain and his lieutenant, Philip Curtis, accordingly led 
their men out to the titiht, but most of them flinched in the 
moment of need, and Capt. H. and Lieut. C. were left with 
only live men to finish the combat. The lieutenant and one 
man were killed, and the object of the excursion was lost. 

The following winter was marked with numerous rencon- 
tres, in which the Indians were sometimes victorious and 
sometimes obliged to retreat. They, however, advanced to- 
wards Boston, and some of them expressed the hope, that they 
should yet see that town in ashes. JVhat me ziull, me do, was 
their motto, and the people believed so much in its appropri- 
ateness, that they set a watch at the entrance of the town, 
and no Indian whatever, friendly or not, was allowed to enter 
unguarded. Next to Philip in insolence, there was a John 
Monahco, or Oac-ryed John, who had threatened hardest 
and boasted loud of what he should accomplish : but before 



164 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

the year was closed, Philip himself was hunted to his dens, by 
Capt. Church, and shot by a friendly Indian ; and this John, 
' with a few more bragadocios like him was taken, and was 
seen marching towards the gallows, through Boston streets, 
which he threatened to burn at his pleasure, with an halter 
about his neck, with which he was hanged at the town's end, 
Sept. 26, 1676.- Thus ended king Philip's war. 

\Vhat the malice of the savages was not permitted to effect, 
took place through other means. On the 27th of November, 
the town was alarmed by the discovery of ' a sad fire, acci- 
dentally kindled b^' the carelessness of an apprentice, that sat 
up too late over night, as was conceived, which begun an hour 
before day, continuing three or four, in which time it burned 
down to the ground 46 dwelling-houses, besides other build- 
ings, together with a meeting-house* of considerable bigness. 
Some mercy was observed, mixt with the judgment, for if a 
great rain had not continued all the time, (the roofs and walls 
of their ordinary buildings consisting of such combustible 
matter) that whole end of the town had at that time been con- 
sumed.' 

This is Hubbard's account in his ' Indian wars.' Hutch- 
inson says, ' it broke out about five o'clock in the morning, at 
one Wakefield's house, by the Red Lion.' The wharf, which 
opens next north of Richmond-street (late Proctor lane), was 
formerly called the Red Lion wharf, and from the number of 
buildings destroyed, and the names of persons mentioned in 
the town records, as interested in the improvements after- 
wards made in the width and course of the streets, we infer that 
the fire extended from that lane as far north as Clark-street.t 
Great pains appear to have been taken that the new streets 
might be both widei- and straightcr than before, and the se- 
lectmen had as much ditliculty to persuade the owners to 
give up an inch of ground then, as the city authorities now 
have. Some of the wooden houses now standing in Ann- 
street were probably built immediate!}' after this fire. The 
house at the head of the slip below Richmond-street is thought 
by the occupant to be 150 3'ears old. It is of two stories ; 
the second projecting about 18 inches over the first. There 
are houses in several parts of the town, built in the same 
style.| The fashion is said to have been introduced here 

* The church met at Dea. Phillips' house, Dec. 3, and took measures for the erection of a 
new house of worship : it was ready in the rourse of the next year. No pew was to be built 
with a door into the street : and if the builder of the pew left the house, the pew was to 
icviTt 10 the church. 

t Town Kecordti, Jan. and Aug. 1677. 

} The house on the north side of the New Brick mecting'-house is a specimen of this struc- 
ture, and the one on the south side, ut the comer of (latr) I'roctor-Iane, is in Iho previous 
fashion of t*o low tturit-s witli a hi^h, {M.-akcd roof: tiiitil lute years it retained the ancient 
liuiull gluts windows viiOi leaden ^uthes. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 165 

from the country, where this structure was found expedient, to 
furnish protection from the assaults of the natives. This is 
not improbable ; but another opinion, that it was the fashion 
of the times and prevailed also in France at the same period, 
is quite as likely. 

We do not find that the engine authorized in 1G64 was ever 
obtained, but after this fire the town appears to have sent 
abroad for one. 

Town Records, 1679. Jan. 27. ' In case of fire in the 
town, where there is occasion to make use of the engine lately 
come from England, Thomas Atkins, carpenter, is desired and 
doth engage to take care of the managing of the said engine, 
in the work intended, and secure it the best he can from dam- 
age, and hath made choice of the several persons following to 
be his assistants, which are approved of, and are promised to 
be paid for their pains about the work : — ' The persons who 
formed the first engine company, were Obadiah Gill, John 
Raynsford, John Barnard, Thomas Elbridge, Arthur Smith, 
John Mills, Caleb Rawlins, John Wakefield, Samuel Green- 
wood, Edward Martin, Thomas Barnard, George Robinson.' 

The following record shows us the antiquity of their privile- 
ges. May 28, 1683. It is agreed that Ralph Carter and seven 
others, one man out of each company of the train bands, should 
take the care and charge of the water engine, to keep it in 
good order, and be ready upon all occasions to attend the use 
and service thereof, when the said Carter shall require it, or 
there be any noise or cry of fire breaking out in any part of 
this town : In consideration whereof, with consent of the sev- 
eral captains, they shall be exempt from training, and are to 
attend the said service upon the penalty the law prefixeth for 
not training. 

Another ' terrible fire began about midnight, August 8, 1679, 
at one Gross's house, the sign of the Three Mariners, near the 
dock. All the warehouses and a great number of dwelling- 
houses, with the vessels then in the dock, were consumed. It 
continued till near noon the next day ; the most woful deso- 
lation that Boston had ever seen ; eighty odd dwelling houses 
and seventy odd warehouses, with several vessels and their 
lading consumed to ashes. The whole loss computed to be 
£200,000.' Hubbard says (N.E. 649) ' it was set on fire* by 



* 1679, October IS. p. 242. Colony Records. Whereas the persons hereafter named are 
under vehement suspicion of attempting to burn the town of Boston, and some of their en- 
deavours prevailed to the burning of one house, and only by God's providence prevented 
from further damage : This court doth order that Edward Creelie and Deborah his wife, 
Hepzibah Codman, John Avis, John Easte, Samuel Dogget, Wm. Penny, Richard Heath, 
Sypron Jarman, and James Dennis, shall depart the jurisdiction and never return, and be 
kept in prison until ready for their departure. 



166 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 



some malicious wretches, as is justly suspected, and half ru- 
ined the whole colony, as well as the town.' This devasta- 
tion occasioned such a demand for house timber, that the town 
petitioned the court to forbid its exportation for a lime, 
it also increased the watchfulness of the people, and in some 
new regulations adopted, we find the singular one that a man 
should be stationed on each meeting-house during service on 
the sabbath day, to give the alarm in case of any fire being 
discovered. 

A law was made about this time to prevent the erection of 
wooden buildings, and the houses and warehouses near the 
town dock, which were rebuilt after the great fire in 1679, 
were either constructed with bricU, or plastered on the outside 
with a strong cement intermixed with gravel and glass, and 
slated on the top. They were two stories high, with a gar- 
ret in the high peaked roof.* One of them is yet standing, 
and is represented in the following plate. 



AXCIEXT EUILDIXG 
AT THE CORNKK OF ANN-STRtET AND MAHKET-SqVARE. 




vtrw inoM Tiir v. r. ror.NPH or r.i.M-STKr.r.r. 



Mii^s. Hist. roll. 1. iv. 1^ 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 167 

This, says a description furnished by a friend, is perhaps 
the oniy wooden building now standing in the city to show 
what was considered elegance of architecture here, a century 
and a half ago. The peaks of the roof remain precisely as 
they were first erected, the frame and external appearance 
never having been altered. The timber used in the building 
■was principally oak, and, where it has been kept dry is per- 
fectly sound and intensely hard. The outside is covered with 
plastering, or what is commonly called rough-cast. But in- 
stead of pebbles, which are generally used at the present day 
to make a hard surface on the mortar, broken glass was used. 
This glass appears like that of common junk bottles, broken 
into pieces of about half an inch diameter, the sharp corners 
of which penetrate the cement in such a manner, that this 
great lapse of years has had no perceptible effect upon them. 
The figures 16 8 were impressed into the rough-cast to 
show the year of its erection, and are now perfectly legible. 
This surface was also variegated with ornamental squares, 
diamonds and flowers-de-luce. The building is only two sto- 
ries high, and is about 32 feet long and 17 wide ; yet tradi- 
tion informs us that it was once the residence of two respect- 
able families, and the front part was at the same lime occupir 
ed for two shops or stores. The water of the dock flowed on 
the south and southwest sides of it, as represented on the plan 
for 1722. The principal apothecary' shop in the town was 
once kept there, and one part of it continues to be improved 
for the same business. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



He's gone, and who knows how lie may report 
Thy words, by adding fuel to the flame ? 
Expect another message more imperious, 
Blore lordly thund'i'ing than thou well wilt bear. 

Samson Agoiiisies, 

'In the height of the distress of the Indian war, and while 
the authority of the colony was contending with the natives 
for the possession, of the soil, complaints were making in Eng- 
land, which struck at the powers of government ; and an in- 
quiry was set on foot, which was continued from time to time, 
until it finally issued in a quo warranto and judgment there- 
upon against the charter.' 

The compliance of the colony with the requisitions of the 
king had b(>en slow and occasional, as necessity impelled, and 
whatever alterations they might make in their polity from rea- 



168 UlSTORY OF BOSTOIf. 

son and conviction, of their own motion, they were not easily 
led to adopt the same when rcquii-cd by a soverei<.Mi, to whom 
they held themselves subject only according to their charter. 
There were difiercnt opinions in regard to the course, which 
the colony ouijht to pursue, and from this period we may date 
the origin of two parties, the patriots and prerogative men, 
the whigs and tories, between whom controversy scarcely in- 
termitted, and was never ended, until the separation of the 
two countries.* 

A jealousy concerning their political rights infused itself 
into the people, and henceforward we discover in the acts of 
the Bostonians an increased sensibility to every shadow of 
encroachment upon their liberties, whatever may be its source. 

Thus in April, 1676, in conformity to custom, the town chose 
by ballot Mr. John FTayward, to be nominated to the county 
court for the office of clerk of the v.rits. For reasons not as- 
signed on the town records, that court saw fit to disregard the 
notnination, and the town resented the afiVont at a publick 
meeting, on the 25th of August following. 

' Then was presented a paper to the inhabitants, by Rich- 
ard Knight, in the name of himself and others of the town, to 
represent their dissatisfaction and grievance for a breach of 
their liberties and privilrges, as they apprehend, by the Hon'd. 
County court's putting in another clerk of the writs than what 
was nominated by a major vote of the inhabitants, the 24th of 
April, 1676. 

7'he question being put, whether the motion therein should 
be considered at this time. Resolved in the aifirmative. 

Secondl}', it was voted, that Mr. Thomas Deane and Mr. 
John l-'airweather join with the selectmen to represent the 
dissatisfaction and grievance of the inhabitants to the hon'd. 
coimty court, and humbly desire tJ'at their privileges atid lib- 
erties^ that do belong to the town, may be continued and enjoy- 
ed without any obstruction, and may have satisfaction in their 
])resent complaint.' 

This was an evil of trifling moment, when compared with 
the trouliles that awaited them, in common with their brethren 
of all New-lvigland. 'J'hat same summer, king Charles II. 
sent over to the colony, as bearer of despatches ' to the gov- 
ernor and magistrates of the town of Boston,' Edward Ran- 
dolph, a man who became infamous and hated by the people as 
a spy u|)on their liberties ; whose business it was, they saicb to 
go up and down seeking to devour them. The court complied 
with the principal demands of the king, and sent agents (\Vm. 
Stoughton and iVter Ikilkley) to answer the complaints against 
them. Randolph returned upon their heels, and reported that 

' Minot, Uist. Mass. i. 13—51. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 169 

' the colony refused any obedience to the acts for regulating 
the trade of the plantations.' 

' Several laws were made by the court, while the agents 
were in England, to remove some of the exceptions which 
were taken, and the king's arms were ordered to be carved and 
put up in the court [town] house. But it was a more diflicult 
thing to conform to the acts of trade : they acknowledge in 
their letter to their agents that they had not done it. They 
apprehended them to be an invasion of the rights. liberties and 
property of the subjects of his majesty, ihey not being repre- 
sented in parliament -^ however, they had made provision by a 
Iaw,that the acts should be strictly observed from time to time, 
although it greatly discouraged trade, and was a great damage 
to his majesty's plantation.' Here we perceive that the gov- 
ernment of Massachusetts avowed the principle, that taxation 
and representation ought to go together, a hundred years 
before the united colonies declared that they should. 

Randolph kept a continual watch upon the colony, and 
went divers times to England with complaints, and returned 
with fresh orders and powers. In 1673 he came over with 
authority from the commissioners of the customs as an inspec- 
tor, and to make seizures for breaches of the acts of trade ; 
but he was generally, if not always, condemned in costs. In 
his list of 'articles of high misdemeanour exhibited against a 
faction of the general court,' besides accusing them of aiming 
at independence, he alleges that in opposition to him, they had 
'confirmed the place and powers of the collector of the cus- 
toms and imposts, laid upon wines and strong waters imported 
into their colony, set up by a law made in their colony in 
1645 ;' which officer, he says, had been chief collector of 
these duties above a year before his own ofilce was ordered. 

Even this collector, though appointed by the court, it seems 
met with some refractory spirits, who were not disposed to 
submit to the ' acts of trade.' Town Records, 1 678, Aug. 26, 
' Mr. Paul Dudley, collector of the customs in this port of 
Bostone, complaining that Robert Orchard, who had received 
several goods from England, had neglected to make any entry, 
and refused to produce an invoice of them, the said Mr. Dud- 
Icy desired the assistance of the selectmen to rate the said 
Orchard for the said goods, according to their best discretion, 
as the law directs. And the said collector with the selectmen 
do, according to the law, rate the said Orchard to pay to the 
collector £10 in money, i'or the custom of the said goods.' — 
And the constable thereupon attached 19lbs. of beaver, as 
security for the same. 

Govcrnour Leverett, who had been annually continued in 
office, from the time of his being first chosen in 1673, died on 
*he 16th of March, 1679. He had been a soldier in early 
22 



170 HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

life, and distinguished himself in several actions abroad. Up- 
on his return he was chosen a deputy to the general court 
for Boston ; in 16C4 he was appointed major-general, and 
elected a-sistant in 1665: he succeeded Mr. Francis Wil- 
loughby in the deputy-governour's office in 1671, and held 
that place till he became govcrnour. The weighty affairs of 
the war and of the agency during his administration, conduct- 
ed with prudence and steadiness, caused him to be greatly 
respected, and he was so beloved by the colony, (hat his elec- 
tion was never contested, and he descended with honour to 
the grave. His funeral was attended with great solemnity : 
a sermon was preached by Mi-. [Samuel] Nowcl, and military 
honours were conferred on the occasion.* 

'I'he agents returned in 1679. In 1681, Randolph obtained 
a commission from the crown, for collector and surveyor and 
searcher of the customs, in New England. He laid his com- 
mission before the general court, and desired he might be aid- 
ed in the execution of his office with their countenance and 
authority : but no notice being taken of his application, he set 
up his advertisement in the town-house, to accjuaint all per- 
sons concerned, that an office was erected, and they must 
govern themselves accordinglj^ This, he said, was taken 
down by the marshal, by order of the general court, or some 
of the members. He, therefore, demanded a final resolution 
of the court, whether they would admit his commission to be 
in force or not, that he might know how to order his proceed- 
ings. What was their reply to Randolph we have not found ; 



* Older iij march at the fiiatral nf Governor Levcreit, who died IG March 1G78, and was 
burkd the first day of the next year, 25 March, 1G79. 

Mr. John Joyliffe ^ 

IV' J'»"'es WI"'t<:o'"'j« > to cany each a Banner Roll at the 4 corners of the Herse. 

Mr. Rics. MiUdlecot ) 

To march next lieforc the nerse as foUoweth. 

C Jlr. Sam. Shrimpton, or in his absence Capt. Clap to carry the helmet. 
J Ml'. John Fairweather to carry the Gorget. 

CMr. E. Hutchinson Brest 
I Mr. Charles Liclgett Back 

JMr. Samp. Sheal'e one lace 

\ Mr. John Pincheon one lace Mr. Dummer in case 

J Capt. Nich. Fufre one Gauntlet 

Capt. Jona. Cnrwin one (janntlet 

< Lieut. Kdw. Willys the Target 
I Capt. Edw. Tyn^ the Sword 

J Mr. Ilei. Usher one Spur 

Mr. I'eler Sargeant one Spur 

Capt. Wm. (ierrish to lead the Horse per the Rain and Itetuni Waile (as Oroon)) per 
the headstall. 

Mr. I.\ nHe 1 



Mr. S.irtin 
Mr. Itnrli 
N. Oreen 



Mr Itiirli ( '" "^"'■''.V Banners niixt with the Banner Holes above. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOPT* 171 

but in an answer to the king we find them declaring, that he 
' was acknowledged collector, and his commission enrolled.' 

Charles 11. remained dissatisfied, and required that other 
agents should be sent over, without delay, with powers to 
submit to such regulations of government as his Majesty should 
thmk tit. Mr. Joseph Dudley, a son of the first deputy-gov- 
ernour, and Mr.John Richards, a wealthy merchant of Boston, 
a man of fair character and one of the assistants, were cho- 
sen, and despatched with all practicable speed. They arrived 
at London on the latter end of August, 1682, and Randolph 
was not long after them, ready to disclose every thing they 
might wish to conceal. They found ' his majesty greatly pro- 
voked ;' and in their first letters to the general court repre- 
sented the case of the colony as desperate, and left it to the 
court to determine, whether it was advisable to submit to his 
pleasure or to sutfer a quo warranto to issue. Upon receipt of 
these advices it was made a question, not in the court only, 
but amongst all the inhabitants, whether to surrender or not. 
On the whole, the agents were instructed to make no conces- 
sions of any privileges conferred upon the colony by the 
charter. Upon receiving this final resolution of the court, 
their business was at an end : it was immediately determined 
a Q. VV. should go forth, the agents returned to Boston, Oct. 
23, 1683, and Randolph arrived the same week with the in- 
strument of death. 

' The next day after Randolph arrived, a destructive fire 
happened in the richest part of the town. Some of the peo- 
ple in their rage and jealousy supposed it to have been kind- 
led by his procurement. It was on the south side of the 
dock's mouth, and consumed a great number of dwelling 
houses, warehouses and vessels.' 

The Bostoneers, as Randolph called them, were forward to 
oppose his Majesty's demand : this is the record : 

1684, Jan. 21. At a meeting of the freemen of this town 
upon lawful warning, upon reading and publishing his Majes- 
ty's declaration dated 26 July, 1683, relating to the quo war- 
ranto issued out against the charter and privileges claimed by 
the governour and company of the Mass, Bay in N. E. It 
being put to the vote, whether the freemen were minded, that 
the general court should make a full submission and entire 
resignation, of our charter and privileges therein granted, 
to his majesty's pleasure, as intimated in the said declaration 
now read, the question was resolved in the negative, nemine 

CONTRADICENTE. 

It is impossible to pronounce the two last words without 
perceiving that the clerk felt himself arnmated with the assur- 
ance, that he was recording the sentiments of the whole popu- 



172 HISTORY or boston. 

lation.* Yet the proposition divided the legislature. The 
Governour (Bradstreet) and the major part of the assistants, 
says Minot, voted not to contend in law, but to submit to the 
pleasure of the King; but the representatives, after a fort- 
night's consideration, refused to give this vote their concur- 
rence ; and a letter of attorney was sent to a suitable person 
to appear and answer in behalf of the Colony. 

' It seems that this process was issued from the Court ol 
King's bench, where the attorney was accordingly authorised 
to appear ; but from some reason or other proceedings were 
not further prosecuted there, and a scire facias was issued 
against the colony from the Court of Chancery, on the 16th 
day of April, and was not received until the return day had 
expired ; by means of which, judgment was given against the 
colony on the 18th of June, 1684, subject to an appearance 
and defence on the next term, without their being heard, or 
receiving timely notice to appear. Thus fell the good old 
charter, valuable for its defects so happily supplied, as well 
as its powers. But with it fell not the habits it had engender- 
ed, nor the principles which the settlement of the country 
had inspired.' 

' The loss of the charter was followed within a few months 
with the death of King Charles II. (Feb. 6, 1685,) which OC' 
casioned such a crowd of business at home, that the planta- 
tions were neglected for some time. King James II. was 
proclaimed with great ceremony in the high street in Boston, 
on the 20th of April. As soon as he was settled in his throne, 
he sent over a commission to Col. Joseph Dudley, to take the 
government of New-England upon him,under the title of Pres- 
ident, and appointed him a new council, of his majesty's own 
nomination, with Wm. Stoughton as deputy president. Mr. 
D. received it (by the Rose frigntc, the first we have noticed 
as arriving in Boston harbour) on the 15th of May, 1686, and 
it was made publick on the 25th, when the president and 
council met in form.t 

' Mr. Dudley considered himself and the council appointed 
to preserve the aft'airs of the colony from confusion, until a 
governour should be appointed, and a rule of administration 
be more fully settled. Hutchinson says, that ' in general the 
former laws and established customs, so far as related to 
judicial proceedings, seem to have been their rule, although 
the government which framed them was dissolved. The 



-^ See Reiniirkables of Iiicrea!>e Mather, who attended the inecliiig and made a spirit-stir- 
ring speech on the subject. 

t Neal, N. E. ch. X. flutih. Hist. 1. ch. iii. The old magislratcs had continued to exer- 
cise authority, us n thing of necessity, until May 12, lt;86, the date of the lust old charter 
record, when Ilr. Dradstreet was chosen (ioveruoiir. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 173 

affairs of the towns were likewise managed in the same man- 
ner as formerly.' 

The power of granting taxes being transferred to the Presi- 
dent and council, it was necessary for the town of Boston to 
make application for liberty to assess and collect their usual 
rates. The following articles, from the town records, are the 
more interesting from the consideration that Randolph 
thought to have destroyed the publick records from 1686 to 
1639. The town record next after May 14,1686, reads thus : 

'Upon the constables' delaying or neglect to collect the 
rate for the alms-house or work-house, within mentioned, the 
President and council were pleased to endorse the warrant 
following uponeach constable's list. 

By the President and Council. 
The order and agreement of the town of Boston relating to 
the alms or work house having been considered, the rate in 
this paper is allowed, and to be paid as formerly ordered by 
the Committee and Selectmen, reserving liberty to complain 
as formerly, to such as are oppressed or aggrieved : and 
where any have subscribed or made promise and refuse pay- 
ment, the treasurer or his attorney hath power to recover the 
same by action before any two justices of the peace, if the 
subscriptions exceed not 40^. or otherwise by the county court. 

per Edward Randolph, Sec'y. 

By the President and Council. June 2, 1686. 
In answer to the motion of the selectmen of Boston showing 
that their town treasury is so exhausted that they stand in 
need of a present supply, for the maintenance of the poor, 
mending the highways, finishing the alms house, and other 
necessary town occasions, which have been formerly and par- 
ticularly referred to their care and management, the Pres't 
and council for the present exigency, and having seen the 
town's votes allowing the said selectmen's power, accordingly 
do approve the same, and order them to give notice of the 
sum necessary and to proceed in due and equal manner to 
levy the same upon the inhabitants and estates of the town. 



^iJ^s^difk 



oec. 



Copy of a return to the Council, June 7th. 
Whereas the President and council, June 2, 1686, in answer 
to the motion of the Selectmen of Boston for the supply of 
money to maintain the poor, mending of the highways, and 
other necessary town's occasions, ordering to give notice of 
the sum to defray the charge, it is found according to former 



174 HISTORV OF UOSTON. 

experience, that rating the town about £600, rate pay, being 
cusioniarj to abate one third part if paid in money, which 
brings it to £400, and abatements for such as have been 
raicd and found not able to pay, and for such as have died, 
and such as have gone to sea, removed to other places, before 
they have been paid, and such as have been abated on com- 
phiinl of being overrated, commonly brings it to £340 or £350. 
And the standing charge of this town at this time is about 
£400 per ann. and about 200 of which is in maintaining 
three free schools, mending the highways \n Boston, Romney 
Marsh and Muddy river, the rest to several that have standing 
salary for service in the town, and to poor people, that are 
not likely to get their livings as long as they dq live, besides 
clothing and burying the poor, and giving to people's necessi- 
ties transiently, repairing the town-house and school-houses, 
maintaining bastards and poor people when they are sick 
and nurses for them, and powder for the town's occasions, 
paying house rent for it, and blowing up of houses, and finding 
powder for the town as the law recpjires. 

Subscribed per Edward Willis, treasurer. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Thy sons, Edina, social, kind, 
With open arms the stranger hail, 

Gay as the gilded summer sky, 
Thy daughters bright thy walks adorn. 

Addnss to Edinburgh. 



From this review of the course of publick aflairs we turn 
now to exhibit to our readers a picture of private society and 
manners in the same period : and we shall do it in the words 
of the facetious John Dunton, who visited Boston in 168G, and 
published an account of his life and crrours in 1705. 

' We weighed out of the Downs, Nov. 2, 1685 ; and made 
the best of our way for the Beachy. — We were above four 
months at sea, and at last reduced to that extremity that each 
of us had no more than the allowance of one bottle of water 
for four days. AVhen we came within ken of Boston, we 
were all overjoyed, being just upon the point of starving ; we 
put ofl" to land in the long boat and came ashore near the 
Castle, which stands about a mile from Boston. 'J'hc country 
appeared at first liUe a barren waste, but we found humanity 
';nough when we came amongst the inhabitants. We lodged 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 175 

the first night at the Castle, and next morning we found the 
way to Boston lay over the ice, which was but cold comfort, 
after we had been stowed up so many months in a cabin! 
The air of New England was sharper than at London, which, 
with the temptation of fresh provisions, made me eat like 
a second Mariot of Gray's Inn. The first person that welcom- 
ed me to Boston was Mr. Burroughs, formerly a hearer of 
my reverend father-in-law. Dr. Annesly. He heaped more 
civilities upon me than I can reckon up, offered to lend me 
monies, and made me his bedfellow, till 1 had provided 
lodgings. ' 

As I was rambling through Boston, I met both with lodg- 
ings, and a warehouse at Mr. Wilkin's, whose family deserves 
as well of me, as any in New Enj=;land. Bein? thus fixed, I 
delivered the letters of recommendation I had brought with 
me Irom England. I had one from the Reverend Mr. Richard 
btretton, to Mr. Stoughton, the deputy governour: and Mr. 
xVlorton of Newington-Green, sent another to major Dudley, 
alterwards president, which, with other letters to the magis- 
trates had the good effect that I was made freeman of Boston 
though very much obliged for it to the friendship of Mr.' 
Burroughs. Immediately upon this, captain Hutchinson 
gave me an invitation to dine with the governour and the mag- 
istrates in the town hall. The entertainment was very rich 
and noble, and the governour, dcputy-governour, major Dud- 
ley, and the other magistrates gave me a very friendly web 
come to Boston, and kindly wished me success in mv under- 
taking. •' 

He that trades with the inhabitants of Boston, should be 
well furnished with a Grecian faith : he may get promises 
enough, but their payments come late. However, under all 
the disadvantages of that kind, I was now resolved to run the 
risk of It, and in order to promote the sale, I made a visit to 
the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, the metropolitan clergv- 
man ol that country, and rector of Harvard College. He is 
master of a great stock of learning, and a very eminent divine. 
His son, the Reverend Mr. Cotton Mather, was then upon 
hnishing his Magnalia Christi Americana, which has lately 
been published here in England. There is abundance of 
Ireedom and familiarity in the humour of this gentleman • 
his conversation and his writings are living evidences that he 
has read much but there are many that won't allow him the 
prudence to make a seasonable use of it. His library is very 
large and numerous, but had his books been fewer when he 
writ his history, 'twould have pleased us better. 

1 was next to wait upon the Reverend Mr. Willard, minis- 
ter of the South-Meeting in Boston ; he is well furnished with 
learning and solid notion, has a natural fluency of speech. 



17G IIISTOUY OF BOSTON. 

and can say what he pleases. Afterwards I went to visit the 
Reverend Mr. Allen, he is very humble and very rich, and 
can be generous enough, when the humour is upon him. His 
son was an eminent minister here in England, and deceased 
at Northampton. Mr. [Joshua] Moody was assistant to Mr. 
Allen, and well known by his practical writings. Leaving 
Mr. Allen's house, 1 went next to Mr. John and Mr. Thomas 
Baily. These two are popular preachers, and very generous 
to strangers; I heard Mr. John upon these words, — Looking 
unto Jesus, aud 1 thought he spake like an angel. They ex- 
press a more than ordinary kindness to Mr. Wilkins, my land- 
lord, and (being persecuted in Limerick for their noncon- 
formity) came over with him from Ireland. Reader, 1 might 
be large in their character ; but when I tell you they are true 
pictures of Dr. Annesly (whom they count as a second St. 
Paul) 'tis as high as I need go. 

The sun being now gone to bed (for though I was up before 
him, he got to his lodging first) 1 bid good night to these two 
brothers, who gave me a hearty welcome to Boston, and as- 
sured me of all the service that lay in their power. 

Having first paid my visits to the clergy of Boston, and 
given a character of them, )>ray give me leave to ask my 
brethren the booksellers how they do, and that shall be all. 
For though I know they love to be respected, yet at the same 
time I am satisfied, that I'm as welcome to them as sour ale 
in summer, for they look upon my gain to be their loss, and do 
make good the truth of that old proverb, that interest will not 
lie ; but 1 must begin my addresses to them. 

Mr. [John] Usher, your humble servant. This trader 
makes the best figure in Boston ; he is very rich, adventures 
much to sea ; but has got his estate by book selling ; he pro- 
posed to me the buying my whole venture, but would not 
agree to my terms, and so we parted with a great deal of 
seeming respect. 

Mr. Phillips, my old correspondent ! — 'Tis reason 1 should 
make 3'ou the next visit. He treated me with a noble dinner, 
and (if I may trust my eyes) is blest with a pretty obliging 
wife ; Pll say that for Sam (after dealing with him for some 
hundred pounds) he is very just, and (as an efl'cct of that) 
very thriving. I shall add to his character, that he is young 
:uid witty, and the most beautiful man in the town of Boston. 

But leaving Philli[)S, 1 rambled next to visit Mir)hecr Brun- 
ning, he is a Dutch bookseller iVom Holland, scrupulously 
just, plain in his clothes, and if wc will believe the printers in 
Boston (who are notable criticks in such cases) a most excel- 
lent paymaster. Brunning is versed in the knowledge of all 
sorts of books, and may well be st\ded a complete bookseller. 
I [c never decries a book, because 'tis not of his own printing; 



HISTORY OF BOSTOTf. 177 

there are some men that will run down the most elaborate 
pieces, only because thej had none of their niidvvilery to 
bring them into publick view, and yet shall give the greatest 
encomium to the most nauseous trash, when they had the hap 
to be concerned in it. But Brunning was none of these ; for 
he would promote a good book whoever printed it ; and 1 
found him a man of that great interest, that I made him my 
partner in printing Mr. Mather's sermon, preached at the ex- 
ecution of Morgan, who was the only person executed ia that 
country for near seven years. From the Dutch, 1 went to 
the Scotch bookseller, one Duncan Cambel, he is very indus- 
trious, dresses all-a-mode, and I am told, a young lady of 
a great fortune is fallen in love with him. 

Having visited all the booksellers, I will next give an ac- 
count of what acquaintance 1 had in Boston. I siiall begin 
with Mr. Willy, who fled thither on theaccount of conscience, 
(and is brother-in-law to the Reverend Mr. Baily) he is a 
man of a large heart, one who, in relieving others' wants, con- 
siders not so much his own ability, as their necessity. This 
Monmouth's forlorn fugitives experienced often, to whom he 
was the common refuge. The next I shall mention is Mr. 
White, a merchant, who by trading has clasped islands to the 
continent, and tacked one country to another ; his knowl- 
edge, both of men and things, is imiversal. The next was 

Mr. Green, a printer ; I contracted a great friendship with 
this man ; to name his trade, will convince the world he was 
a man of good sense and understanding; he was so facetious 
and obliging in his conversation, that I took a great delight in 
his company, and made use of his house to while away my 
melancholy hours. Another of my acquaintance was Cap- 
tain Gery [Gerrish ?] a man as eminent for his love to his 
country, as Junius Brutus and the famous Scaevola among the 

Romans. Another of 'em was George Monk, a person so 

remarkable, that had I not been acquainted with him, it would 
be a hard matter to make any New England man believe that 
I had been in Boston ; there was no house in Boston moi-e 
noted than George Monk's, or where a man might meet with 
better entertainment; he was so much the life and spirit of 
the guests that came to his house, that it was almost in)possi- 
ble not to be cheerful in his company. Another was captain 
Townsend, a gentleman very courteous and affable in his con- 
versation. 

I might here ramble to Mr. JollyfF, justice Lines, Macarty, 
and some others; but least I tire you quite, I will next come 
to a distinct head, which shall be those of my countrymen 
that have rambled into this country as well as myself, such of 
them, I mean, as 1 came acquainted with in the course of my 
business: and these were, first, Mr. Mortimer, who came from 
23 



178 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Ireland ; he was an accomplished merchant, a person of 
great modesty, and could answer tne most abstruse points in 
algebra, navigation, dialling, &lc. 

The next to these was Mr. King: love was the cause of this 
gentleman's long ramble hither; sure his mistress was made 
of stone, for King had a voice would have charmed the 
spheres, he sang. All Hall to the Myrtle Shades, with a match- 
less grace, and might be called an accomplished person. 

Another acquaintance was Mr. York, he had his soft min- 
utes as well as other men, and when he unbent the bow, for 
he was very industrious, he treated the fair sex with so much 
courtship and address, as if loving had been all his trade. 

The next I mention shall be Andrew Thorncomb, bookseller 
from London ; his company was coveted by the best gentle- 
men in Boston, nor is he less acceptable to the fair sex ; for 
he has something in him so extrwnely charming, as makes 
them very fond of his company. However, he is a virtuous 
person, and deserves all the respect they showed hioi. He 
visited me often in Boston, and 1 here declare I've a particular 
kindness for him. 

Another accjuaintance was Mr. Heath ; were I to write the 
character of a pious merchant, I would as soon take Heath 
for the exemplar, as any man 1 know. There are two things 
remarkable in him, one is, that he never warrants any ware 
for good, but what is so indeed ; and the other, that he makes 
no advantage of his chapman's ignorance, where the con- 
science of the seller is all the skill of the buyer; he doth not 
then so much ask as order what he must pay ; and in such 
cases he ought to be very scrupulous. Bishop Latimer being 
told he was cozened in buying a knife, no. replied Latimer, 
he cozened not me, but his own conscience. This person 
was my daily visitor, and brought me acquainted with one 
Gore, of New York, with whom I traded considerably. 

Mr. Watson shall be the next; formerly a merchant in 
London, but not thriving there, he left the exchange for 
Westminster Hall, and in Boston has become as dexterous at 
splitting of causes, as if he had been bred to it. He is full of 
fancy anrl knows the quirks of the law ; but to do him justice, 
he proves as honest as the best lawyer of 'em all. 

Another acquaintance is Mr. Mason. He was a blunt, 
honest Christian ; he will speak his mind, take it how you 
please. 

The next I'll mention shall be Mr. Malinson, he is a stiff 
Indeponder-.t, (which is rare in a fencer.) and so great a crit- 
ick, that he would even find a knot in a bullrush. Malinson 
was one of those unfortunate gentlemen that engaged with 
Monmouth, and I'm told this day at the Royal Exchange, 
he now teaches young gentlemen to fence in Boston. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 179 

I was so happy as to find particular friends in Boston, 
whose characters 1 shall next give you, and I'll begin with 
Dr. Oakes. — He is an eminent physician, and a religious 
man ; at his (Irst coming to a patient he persuades him to put 
his trust in God, the fountain of health ; the want of this hath 
caused the bad success of most physicians, for they that 
won't acknowledge God in all their applications, God won't 
acknowledge them in that success which they might other- 
wise expect. He was a great dissenter whilst he lived in 
London, and even in New England retains the piety of the 
first planters; I was recommended to him by Mr. Giison, as 
also by a relation of his in RatclifF, and I must own, the doc- 
tor gave me a generous welcome to Boston. — From Dr. 
Oakes I pass to my good friend Dr. BuUivant, formerly my 
fellow citizen in London ; I must consider him both as a gen- 
tleman and a physician. As a gentleman, he came of a no- 
ble family, but his good qualities excee(jed his birth ; he is a 
great master of the English tongue, and the Northampton peo- 
ple find him a universal scholar ; his knowledge of the laws 
fitted him for the office of attorney s^eneral, which was confer- 
red upon him on the revolution in Boston ; it is true he sought 
it not. but New England knew his worth, and even forced 
him to accept of it. 

While he held this place of attorney general, he was so far 
from pushing things to that extremity as some hot spirits 
would have had him, that he was for accommodating things, 
and making peace. His eloquence is admirable, he never 
speaks but 'tis a sentence, and no man ever clothed his thoughts 
in better words. 

I shall next consider him as a physician, his skill in phar- 
macy was such as had no equal in Boston, nor perhaps 
Northampton ; he is as intimate with Galen and Hippocrates, 
at least with their works, as ever [ was with Iris. He is so 
conversant with the great variety of nature, that not a drug 
or simple escapes his knowledge, so that he never practises 
new experiments upon his patients, except it be in desperate 
cases, where death must be expelled by death. This also is 
praiseworthy in him, that to the poor, he always prescribes 
cheap, but wholesome medicines, not curing them of a con- 
sumption in their bodies, and sending it into their purses, nor 
3'^et directing them to the East Indies to look for drugs, when 
they may have far better out of their gardens. 

I proceed in the next place to Mr. Gouge, a linen draper 
from London, son to the charitable divine of that name. He 
is owner of a deal of wit, his brain is a quiver of smart jests. 
He pretends to live a bachelor, but is no enemy to a pretty 
woman. He's high church, yet so great a lover of his 
father's " christian directions," that he bought two hundred 



180 . HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

of me to give away, that so he might, as he used to say, make 
the Bostonirtus godly. And this was a noted quality in him, 
that he would always tell the truth ; which is a practice so 
uncommon in New England, that I could not but value his 
fnend-liip. 

But ] must not forget Mr. Tryon. Mr. Tryon is a man of 
a sweet temper, an excellent husband, and very sincere in 
his dealings. The next 1 shall mention is Mr. Barnes, he was 
clerk to the government, a matchless accomptant, a great mu- 
sician, bookish to a proverb, very generous to strangers, and 
at our first interview, declared a particular friendship to me. 

To return to my own affairs, the booksellers in Boston per- 
ceived I was very diligent to Ijring custom to my warehouse, 
an 1 thereupon began to make terms with me for my whole 
venture, l)ut that would not do lor me, because there's the 
loss of thirty per cent, in the return of their money. 1 he 
books J had with me were most of 'em practical, and well 
suitf^d to the genius of New Enj^land, so that, my warehouse 
bcinoj oj)ened, they began to move apace. Palmer, m}' ap- 
prentice, was very honest and diligent, took the whole charge 
of" my business off my hands, and left me to ramble and di- 
vert uiyself as my fancy would suggest. 

But I must make a transition to arms. It is their custom 
here for all that can bear arms, to go out on a training day ; 
but I thought a pike was best for a young soldier, and so 1 
c I' iied a pike. And between you and 1, reader, there was 
another reason for it too, and that was, 1 knew not how to shoot 
off a musquet, but 'twas the first time I ever was in arms. 
Being come into the field, the captain called us all into our 
close order, in order to go to prayer, and then prayed him- 
self. And when our exercise was done, the captain likewise 
concluded with prayer. I have read that Gustavus Adolphus, 
the warlike king of Sweden, would before the beginning of a 
battle kneel down devouti}', at the head of his army, and 
pray to God, the giver of victory, to give them success against 
their enemies, which commonly was the event ; and that he 
was as careful also to return thanks to God for the victory. 
But solemn prayer in the field upon a day of training, 1 never 
knew but in New England, where it seems it is a common cus- 
tom. About three of the clock, l)oth our exercise and pray- 
ers being over, we had a very noble dinner, to which all the 
clergy were invited. 

Summer was now well advanced, however my time did not 
lie (nuch upon my hands, for upon my return from Roxbury, 
1 found several of my friends niaking ready for a journey to 
Natick. E\ery summer there's an Indian lecture preached 
there, which h;is been kept on fool ever since the Rev. Mr. 
Elliot gathered a church there of the converted natives. 1 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 181 

was glad of the opportunity to acquaint myself with the man- 
ners, reliejion, and government of the Indians. When we 
were setting forward, I was forced, out of civility and grati- 
tude, to take madam Brick behind me on horseback ; it is true, 
she was the flower of Boston, but in this case proved no more 
than a bt^autifui sort of luggage to mc. We had about twen- 
ty miles to Natick, where the best accommodations we could 
meet with, were very coarse. W^e ty'd up our horses in two 
old barns, that were almost laid in mines, however we cou'd 
discern where they had stood formerly. But there was no 
place where we cou'd bestow ourselves, unless, upon the 
greenswerd, till the lecture began. 

The wigwams, or Indian houses, are no more than so many 
tents, and their way of building 'em is this ; they first take 
long poles, and make 'em fast in the ground, and then cover 
th^m with mats on the outside, which they tye to the poles. 
Their fire-place is made in the middle, and they leave a little 
hole upon the top uncover'd with the mats, which serves for a 
chi'iiney. Their doors are usually two, and made opposite to 
each other, which they open or shut according as the wind 
sits, and these are either made of mats, or of the barks of 
trees. 

While we were making such discoveries as these, we were 
informed that the sachim, or the Indian king, and his queen^ 
were there. The place, 'tis true, did not look like the royal 
residence, however we cou'd easily believe the report, and 
went immediately to visit their king and queen ; and here my 
courage did not fail, for 1 slept up and kissed the Indian 
queen; making her two very low bows, which she returned 
very civilly. The sachim was very tall and well limbed, but 
had no beard, and a sort of a horse face. The queen was 
well shaped, and her features might pass pretty well, she had 
eyes as black as jet, and teeth as white as ivory ; her hair 
was very black and long, and she was considerably up in 
years ; her dress peculiar, she had sleeves of moose-skin, very 
finely dressed, and drawn with lines of various colours, in Asi- 
atick work, and her buskins were of the same sort ; her man- 
tle was of fine blue cloth, but very short, and tied about her 
shoulders, and at the middle with a zone, curiously wrought 
with white and blue beads into pretty figures; her bracelets 
and necklace were of the same sort of beads, and she had a 
little tablet upon her breast, very finely decked with jewels 
and precious stones; her hair was combed back and tied up 
with a border which was neatly worked both with gold and 
silver. 

The Natick lecture was done about four in the afternoon, 
and we had twenty miles to Boston, so that we were obliged 
to mount immediately, and make the best of our way. Upon 



182 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

my coming to Boston, I hoard that the Rev. Mr. Morton, so 
much celebrated in England for his piety and learning, was 
just arrived from England, and with him, his kinsman, Dr. 
Morton, the physician. Mr. Morton did me the honour to 
declare he was very glad to see me ; and 1 am sure I was 
glad to see him ; not only as he brought me letters from Iris, 
but for his own personal worth. 

In the san)e ship with Mr. Morton, came over one Mrs. 
Hicks, with the valuat)le venture of her beautiful person, 
which went oft' at an extraordinary rate ; she marrying "a 
merchant in Salem worth thirty thousand pounds. 

By this time there were about two tliirds of my venture of 
books gone off, and I was fearful to sell any more at Boston, 
till the old scores w^ere discharged ; for besides all the money 
I had taken, there was about four hundred pounds owing me 
in Boston, and the towns adjacent, at my return from Natick. 
It began to run in my head, that Mr. Sewel, one of the magis' 
trates in Salem, had invited me thither, and told me, if 1 sent 
part of my venture there, he'd do me all the service that was 
possible, in the sale of them ; upon these thoughts, I made a 
journey to Salem. 

Having staid some little time, with my worthy friend Mr. 
Steward, myself and Mrs. Comfort took our leaves, and made 
the best of our way for Boston ; where we arrived to the 
great satisfaction of my good landlord and his wife. 

I had now no more business in New England, but just to 
pay a farewell to Mr. Burroughs, (that was so kind to me at 
my first landing) and to shake hands with Mr. Wilkins (my 
landlord) his wife, and daughter. 

And here 1 shall first take my leave of Mr. Francis Bur- 
roughs, for I wanted till now, an opportunity to thank him for 
the many civilities he heaped Ujion me in Boston; for he not 
only lent me money (the true touch-stone of friendship) but 
made me his bed-iellow, got me the freedom of Boston, and 
was the chief person I advis'd with under any difficulty. 

" His person is handsome (f don't know whether he knows 
it or no) and his mind has as many charms ; he's a man of re- 
markable chastity, of a great deal of wit, and his i-epartees 
are so quaint, apposite and genteel, 'tis a pleasure to observe 
how handsomely he acquits himself; in the mean time he's nei- 
ther scurrilous nor prophane, but a scrupulous, honest, con- 
scientious man, so that he's what we may call a religious mer- 
chant, and (1 was going to say) he hates vice almost as much 
by nature as grace." And this 1 think is his true character ; 
but I must remember Captain Leg is ready to sail, and 1 have 
other farewells to make, and so worthy friend adieu. 

I come next to honest Wilkins, my landlord, for I should 
think myself very unkind, should 1 leave Boston, without 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 183 

shaking hands with a person I lived with near eight months. 
Hih person is tail, his aspect sweet and smiling, and (though 
but fifty years old) his hair as white as snow. He was form- 
erly a bookseller in Limerick, and fled hither on the account 
of conscience. He is a person of good sense, keeps up the 
practice of religion in his familj', and (up)on a nice search in- 
to all his affairs) I found it had a general influence on all the 
actions of his life : he was deservedly chosen a member of 
Mr. VVillard's church, and I do think he's a pious man, if 
there's such a thing in Boston. But dear sir, adieu, for the 
wind is fair, and I must be gone ; but I leave your company 
with as much regret as ever I did any earthly blessing. 

My next farewell shall be to Mrs. Wilkins my obliging 
landlady. 

" She's a tender wife, a kind mother, and is a woman well 
poised in all humours ; or, in other words, Mrs. Wilkins is a 
person of an even temj)er, which rendered her conversation 
more agreeable than those that laugh more, but smile less: 
some there are, who spend more spirits, in straining, for an 
hour's mirth, than (hey can recover in a month, which ren- 
ders them so unequal company ; whilst she is always equal, 
and the same. 'Tis virtue to know her, wisdom to converse 
with her, and joy to behold her ; or (to do her justice in few- 
er words) she is the counterpart of her pious husband, who 
without her, is but half himself." I might inlarge, but I fear 
if I write on, I shall lose my passage, and so (kind landlady) 
adieu. 

Having taken leave of the father and mother, my last visit 
must be to the dauc^hter, and sheer gratitude obliges to this 
farewell ; for you Mrs. Comfort may well take it amiss, if I 
should forget your favours to me in your father's house, your 
pleasant company to Ipswich, your assistance when I was ill, 
and the noble looking-glass you sent niy dear, and all this 
with a world of innocence. 

When the ship was ready to sail, I was attended on board 
by Dr. Bullevant, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. York, Mr. Gouge, Mr. 
Heath, Mr. Tryon, Mr. Green, and some other of my Boston 
friends. The captain enlertain'd them with wine, beer, cy- 
der, and neats' tongues. 

So soon as ever my friends were gone oflf to shore, our cap- 
tain ordered ^11 his guns to fire, which were accompanied with 
huzzas and shouts, and shaking of hats, till we had lost all 
sight of our friends. 

Kind Boston adieu, part we must, though 'tis pity ; 
But I'm made for mankind, and all the world is my city. 
Look how on the shorf. thev who"p and they bolloif, 
Not for Joy I am gone, but for grief ibey can't follow. 



184 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

" Ami now the trying bour came on, 

That each must act a gallant part ; 

Fate on one grand raanceuvre hung, 
One mighty stroke, prompt, dangerous, and bold.'" 

Mr. Dudley's presidentship was of short duration. Sir 
Edmund Audros, who had formerly been governonr of New 
York, arrived Dec. 19, 1686, with a commission from king 
James II. dated July 3d, constituting himself govcrnour of the 
whole country, and empowering him with four of his council 
to m:il<e laws, and raise money without a general assembly 
or any consent of the people. He landed at Boston, the 20th 
of Dec. and his commission was published the same day.* 
The beginning of his administration gave great encourage- 
ment, but it was too soon evinced that his disposition and 
aims were tyrannical : many of his council deserted their 
seats ; a few only who lived in or near Boston attended con- 
stantly, and some of those complained that he had always 
three or four of his creatures, ready to say yes or no to every 
thing he proposed, after which no opposition was allowed. It 
was not long before the case of some, who apprehended them- 
selves oppressed, came under consideration, and one of the 
council told them, ' they must not think the privileges of En- 
glishmen would follow them to the ends of the world.' It was 
an incautious speech, but it sounded an alarm through the 
country, and was never forgotten. 

The Boston records present the following communication, 
made Feb. 25, 1687, ' To his Excellency the Governour and 
Council of 11. M. territory and dominion of New England.' 

' The humble petition of the selectmen of Boston humbly 
showeth, that forasmuch as this town, being the principal seat 
of trade within this his M.'s territory, the growth and flour- 
ishing whereof will necessarily influence the prosperity and 
well-being of the whole, and there having been of late years 
considerable visible decays in the estates thereof, through the 
adversity of the Indian war, desolation by fire, and the failing 
of trade, which have greatly impoverished the town, so that 
the numl)er of the jx)or is much increased, and notwithstand- 



* He was accompanied by HO red coats, whom he landed at Fool's wharf (now Central 
ttrecl), and marched tu Mr. liibhs' house ou Furt-liill. Holmes. .Mass. II. C 2. ii. 261. 
Aug. 31,11)87. Auolliciul return gave 1147 male persons above Ili years of age. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 185 

ing some former essays, as yet no effectual remedy is provided 
for eising the charge of the town, by setting them to work ; 
there being also several common nuisances, in said town, very 
offensive and prejudicial to the inhabitants, and occasion of 
charge to the town ; we therefore pray, that your Ex. and 
council will please to order and appoint a committee of some 
of the members of your council, who are best acquainted with 
the state and condition of the town, unto whom we may rep- 
resent what we conceive to be necessary for the well order- 
ing and regulating of the affairs of this populous town, respect- 
ing the poor, idle, and disorderly persons, with what else we 
may propose as conducible to the <iOod and welfare of the 
place, that so what we shall offer therein may be stated and 
prepared to be laid before your Ex. and Council for consid- 
eration and approbation, as in your wisdom you shall judge 
fit. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.' 

The people endured insolence and privations of various 
kind and degree under the new government, yet it is observ- 
ed, that they were, in general, patient.* Opportunely for 
them, a revolution was about taking place in Etigland, which 
was to furnish them with a plausible pretext for the overthrow 
of their oppressors. James second was a devoted papist, and 
aimed to restore the catholicks to power : the nation was 
not prepared to submit to such a change. James had three 
children, one of which, Mary, was married to William, prince 
of Orange. William aimed at the throne of England, and, 
taking advantage of the discontent of the people, he landed 
with an army, Nov. 15, 1688, and expelled James from the 
kingdom. 

An account of this event reached Boston in April, 1689. 

Mr. Winslovv, who brought a printed copy of the 

Prince of Orange's declaration, was imprisoned on the charge 
of bringing a ' traitorous and treasonable libel into the coun- 
try.' He offered £2000 bail, but it could not be accepted. 
A proclamation was issued by Sir Edmund, charging all offi- 
cers and people to be in readiness to hinder the landing of 
any forces, which the Prince of Orange might send into these 
parts of the world. The old magistrates and heads of the 
people silently wished, and secretly prayed for success to the 
glorious undertaking, and determined quietly to wait the 
event. The body of the people were more impatient. The 



* In 1684, Boston had increased the number of its selectmen from 7 to 9 : in 1688 ' by virtue 
of an act of the Gov. and Council,' it was reduced to 8. ' Every town was suffered to meet 
once a year, to choose their officers, but all meetings at other times or for other purposes 
were strictly forbidden.' And the phraseologfy of the records is altered specially from '• n 
meeting of the fi'ecraen' to ' a meeting of \hn freeholdeis and other inhabitnnl.i.'' 

21 



18C HISTORY UF BOSTOX. 

flame, which had been long smothering in their breasts, burst 
forth with violence on Thursday, the 18ih of April ; when 
Andros, and puch of the Council as had been most active, 
were seized and confined, and the old magistrates were re- 
instated. The most circumstantial account of this exploit is 
contained in the following letter to the governour of 
Plymouth. 

' Boston, April 22d, 89. 
* Hon'd Sir, 

' The consideration of my sending you a blank, wherein 
only the declaration was enclosed, seems to deserve a check, 
and constrains me to an apology, not having so much as liber- 
ty granted me by the messenger to write two or three lines, 
whereby you might have understood the present state of 
things, which by this time you are doubtless acquainted with ; 
but lest it should prove otherwise, 1 have taken the pains to 
give a brief account — 1 knew not any thing of what was inten- 
ded, until it was begun ; yet being at the north end of the 
town, where 1 saw boys running along the streets, with clubs 
in their hands, encouraging one another to fight, 1 began to 
mistrust what was intended, and, hastening towards the town- 
dock, 1 soon saw men running for their arms ; but before I 
got to the Red Lion, I was told, that Capt. George and the 
master of the frigate* were seized and secured in Mr. Col- 
man's house at the north end ; and when I came to the town- 
dock, I understood, that BuUivant and some others of them 
were laid hold of; and then, immediately, the drums began 
to beat, and the people hastened and ran, some with and some 
for arms. 

' Young Dudleyt and Colonel Lidget with some difficulty 
attained to the fort. The governour inimediately sent Dud- 
ley on an errand, to request the four ministers,^ Mr. Joylitfe,!! 
and one or two more, to come to him at the fort, pretending 
that, by them, he might still the people, not thinking it ^afe 
for him to go to them. They returned for answer, that they 
did not think it safe for them to go to him. Now, by this 
time, all the persons, whom they concluded not to be for their 
side, were seized and secured, except some few who had hid 



* The Hoso. 

t Mr. Dudley, liis father, was nbscnl, holiliii^' court in the Narra^nset country. Some 
of ProviUcnce went out and seized him. He was brought to Roxbury, and a puard placed 
round his house, to secure him, as the order expresses it, against violence. He was after- 
wards committed to prison. 

5 Messrs. Allen and Moodcy, of the First Church,— Willard, of the Old South,— and Cot- 
ton Malher, of Uie Old North. 

II A person, who had been many years a leadini,' man in town alTuirs in Boston, and 
leeorder or town-clerk at the time. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 187 

themselves, who afterwards were found, and dealt by as the 
rest. The governour, with Palmer, Randolph, Lidget, West, 
and one or two more, were in the fort. All the companies 
were soon rallied together at the town-house ; where tissi m- 
bled Capt. VVinthrop,* Shrimpton,* Page,t and many other 
substantial men, to consult matters ; in which time the old 
governourj came among them, at whose appearance there was 
a great shout by the soldiers. Soon after, the jack was set 
up at the fort, and a pair of colours at I3eacon-hill, which 
g;iye notice to some thousand soldiers on Charlestown side 
that the controversy was now to be ended ; and multitudes 
would have been there, but that there was no need. The 
frigate, upon the news, put out all her flags and pendants, and 
ope led all her ports, and with all speed made ready for fight, 
under the command of the lieutenant, he swearing that he 
would die before she should be taken ; although the captain 
sent to him, thjt if he fired one shot, or did any hurt, they 
would kill him, whom they had seized alreadj' ; but the lieu- 
tenant, not regarding, kept those resolutions all that day. 

' Now, about fo'jr of the clock in the afternoon, orders were 
given to go and demand the fort ; which hour the soldiers 
longed for ; and had it not been just at the nick, the gover- 
nour and all the crew had made their escape on board the 
frigate, a barge being sent for them ; but the soldiers, being 
so near, got the barge. The army divided, and part came up 
on the back side of the fort, part went underneath the hill to 
the lower battery or sconce, where the red coats were, who 
immediately upon their approach retired up to the fort to 
their master, who rebuked them for not firing on our soldiers 
and, as I am informed, beat some of them. When the soldiers 
came to the battery or sconce, they presently turned the 
great guns about, and pointed them against the fort, which did 
much daunt those within ; and the soldiers were so void of 
fear, that, F presume, had those within the fort been resolute 
to have lost their lives in fight, they might have killed an 
hundred of us at once, being so thick together before the 
mouths of the cannon of the fort, all loaden with small shot ; 
but God prevented it. Then they demanded a surrender, 
which was denied, until Mr. West and another should first go 
to the council, and after their return, we should have an an- 
swer, whether to fight or no. Upon their return, they came 
forth from the fort, and went disarmed to the town-house, 



* They were both of them of Sir Edmund's council, 
t He married president Dudley's sister. 

X Other accounte say, that he and the old magistrates were guarded by the militia with 
great formality. ' 



188 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

and from thence, some to the close jail, and the governour, 
under a guard, to Mr. Usher's house.* 

' The next dtiy, the_y sent the two colonels to demand of 
him the sun-ender of the castle, which he resolved not to 
give ; but they told him, if he would not give it presently, 
under his hand and seal, he would be exposed to the rage of 
the people, and so left him ; but he sent and told them that 
he would, and did so ; and they went down, and it was sur- 
rendered to them with cursings ; and they brought the men 
away,t and made Captain Fairweather commander in it. Now, 
b^' the time that the men came back from the castle, all the 
guns, both in ships and batteries, were brought to bear against 
the frigate, which were enough to have shattered her in pie- 
ces at once, resolving to have her. It is incident to corrupt 
nature to lay the blame of our evil deeds any where rather than 
on ourselves ; so Captain George cast all the blame now upon 
that devil Randolph, (for had it not been for him he had nev- 
er troubled this good people,) earnestly soliciting that he might 
not be constrained to surrender the ship, for by so doing both 
himself and all his men would lose their wages, which other- 
wise would be recovered in England, giving leave to go on 
board and strike the topmasts and bring the sails on shore ; 
and so he did. The country people came armed into the 
town, in the afternoon, in such rage and heat, that it made us 
all tremble to think what would follow; for nothing would 
satisfy them, but that Gov. Andros must be bound in chains 
or cords, and put into a more secure place, and that they 
would see done before they went away ; and, to satisfy them, 
he was guarded by them to the fort.' 

None of the magistrates appear to have been privy to the 
rising of the people on this occasion : but the former gover- 
nour, JMr. Bradstreet, with several of the assistants chosen in 
1686, assembled immediately at the town-house, and assumed 
the direction of affairs, under the title of ' a council for the 
safety of the people and conservation of the peace,' and as- 
sociated 22 others with them. ]\lr. Bradstrect was chosen 
their president. They recommended to the towns to send 
deputies (not exceeding two for each town, except Boston 
four|) to form an assembly on the 9th of May. This assem- 

* Mr. John Nelsun, a young gentleman of Boston, at tbe liend of tlie soldiers, demaniled 
th« fort the second time ; and then tlie governour came down, and surrendered himself and 
the fort. yeal. 

t Ensign John Pipon was at that time commander there. The veteran Roger Clnp, who 
had succeeded Caj)!. Kichard Davenport in ICliS, resigned his office rather than submit to the 
ref|uisitions of Andros. Prinet, Cbr. Hist. p. 7J.— Col. Hec. 1689. 

) After many successive petitions for an increase in the number of her representatives 
Boston had been allowed to cIiooec three iu 1C81. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 189 

biy declared the officers chosen in 1686 to be the rightful 
government ; and adjourned to the 22d, when warm disputes 
occurred on the expediency of reassuming the old charter. 
This was not done. 

' On the 2Gth, a ship arrived from England, with advice of 
the proclaiming of King William and Queen Mary. This was 
the most joyful news ever received in New-England. The 
fears of the people, of any very bad consequences from their 
late actions, were now over. On the 29th, the proclamation 
was published in Boston, with greater ceremony than had 
been known ; the governour and council, civil and military 
officers, merchants of the town, and principal gentlemen of 
the town and country, being on horseback ; the regiment of 
the town, and many companies of horse and foot from the 
country, appearing in arms ; a grand entertainment was pre- 
pared in the town-house, and wine was served out to the 
soldiers.' 

On the 5th of June, the representatives from the several 
towns, on a new choice, assembled at Boston. The council 
immediately proposed to them to consent to the enlargement 
of the ' gentlemen seized by the people,' upon security ; but 
this was not agreed to : and on the 27ih they resolved, that 
they were not bailable, and sent up articles against them. 
Sir Edmund and his friends remained in close custody for 
upwards of twenty weeks ; excepting the knight himself, who 
was absent a short time, on his way to Rhode Island, having 
made his escape through the craftiness of a servant, that 
' enticed the centinel to drink, and then to suffer him to be on 
guard in his stead :' but ' there, Major Sanford stopped him 
and sent him back to the castle again.' At last an order was 
received from the king, approving the course pursued by the 
people and old magistrates, and directing, that Andros and the 
rest of their prisoners should be sent forthwith to England. 
This order arrived late in the year, and on the first opportu- 
nity, (Feb. 1690,) Sir Edmund with Mr. Dudley* and several 
others embarked for England. 



^ ' Of all that were concerned in the late government, Mr. Dudley felt most of the people's 
resentment. lie writes to C. Mather, June 1st, ' I am told that this morning is the last op- 
portunity for rolling away the stone from the mouth of this sepulchre, where I am buried 
alive, in which I yet trouble you for your assistance.' To governour Bradstreet, Sept. 12th, 
' After twenty weeks unaccountable imprisonment, and many barbarous usages offered mo 
therein, the last seven weeks whereof are upon account of your letters to me, I have now 
to complain, that on Monday the whole day I could be allowed no victuals till nine of the 
clock at night, when the keeper's wife offered to kindle her own fire to warm something 
for me, and the corporal expressly commanded the fire to be put out. — I may be easily op- 
pressed to death.— God will hear them that complain to him. — I pray your directions foi' 
your oppressed hinsroan, J. D.' 



190 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XXXn. 

" This is a beaten track." " Is this a track 
Should not be beaten ? Never beat enough 
Till enough learnt the truths it would inspire." 

There were, in the company of first emigrants, a very few 
who entertained sentiments in unison with the church of Eng- 
land. We hear very Httle of them until the year 1646, when 
Dr. Child, Maverick, Fovvle, and others, presented a petition 
to the court, in which, among other grievances, they complain 
that ' divers sober, righteous, and godly men — members of 
the church of England — and their posterity are detained from 
the seals of the covenant of grace, because, as it is supposed, 
they will not take these churches' covenants' ; and ' humbly 
intreat — liberty to the members of the Church of E. — to 
enjoy all those liberties and ordinances Christ hath purchased 
— till inconveniences hereby be found, prejudicial to the 
churches and colony.' This petition met with so unfavoura- 
ble a reception, that it is probable the episcopalian l)rethren 
made no attempts afterwards to establish a society of their 
order for several years. In 1662, the court declared in an 
official document, that ' none as yet among them had appear- 
ed to desire to use the book of common prayer.' But when 
the commissioners from K. Charles II. were at Boston, in 
1665, they had a chaplain with them, and the agents of the 
colony in England, and the general court, in their answers to 
complaints made against them in 1677, had promised that 
no person should be hindered from the performance of church 
services. From that time a society seems to have been form- 
ing, and in the year 1686 Randolph writes to the Archbishop 
of Canterbury, that ' there are 400 persons who are daily fre- 
quenters of our church, and as many more would come over to 
us, but some l)eing tradesmen, others of mechanick professions, 
are threatened by the congregational men to be arrested by 
their creditors, or turned out of their work, if they oflcr to 
come.' 

In disregard, however, of all such discouragements, a meet- 
ing was held on the 15th of June, of that year, which may 
be considered the origin of the first episcopal society in Bos- 
ton. The persons who then associated were ' Mr. Robert 
llatclifTe, our minister, Edw. Randolph, Estj. one of His M.'s 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 191 

council, Capt. Lidgett, Mr. Luscomb, Mr. White, Mr. Mac- 
carty, Mr. Ravenscroft, Dr. Clark, Mr. Turfrey, Mr. Richard 
Banks, and Dr. Benja. Bullivant ; and at a subsequent 
meeting, July 4, Mr. Proctor, Mr. Steph. Wessendonck, Mr. 
Thomas Brinley, and Mr. Mallet, are also named. Dr. Bulli- 
vant and Mr. Banks were elected the first wardens. 

At those meetings it was agreed, that an humble address 
should {>e made to the king, to be signed by the gentlemen 
first named, ' to implore H. M.'s favour to our church, and it 
is consented that all true sons of the Church of E. may join 
with us in the same.' In the same method, letters were to be 
sent ' to the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury, and to the Reverend Father in God, 
the Lord Bishop of London, to implore those prelates' favour.' 
It was also agreed, that there be a sacrament the second sab- 
bath in August, and that the prayers of the church be said, 
every Wednesday and Friday in the year, for the present in 
the library chamber in the town-house in Boston, and that a 
sober and fit person be sought after for a clerk. Mr. Thomas 
HiU was selected and held the first office of that name. Mr. 

Smith was the first sexton. He was a joiner, and was 

employed to make 12 forms [settees] for the service of the 
church, and also to clean, place, and remove the pulpit, forms, 
table, etcetera, and ' do all other things, which shall be conve- 
nient and necessary, in their place of publick assembling.' 

The first step towards the erection of a church was an ad- 
dress to the [President and] Council, for ' liberty and author- 
ity, by a brief, to pass through the whole territory of H. M. 
in N. E. and therein to collect and receive all such voluntary 
donations, as all persons whatsoever shall be disposed to give 
us, for and towards the building of a church, in Boston, to be 
erected for the service of God and for the use of the church 
of E. as per law established.' This was in July, 1686.* 
Gov. Andros arriving in Dec. of that year, and not finding 
the church so well accommodated as the congregations were, 
made application for the use of one of the meeting-houses, and 
having examined tJie three, made choice of the Old South, and 
sent Randolph to ask for the keys. The proprietors declar- 
ed, that they could not in conscience suffer the house to be 
occupied for such a purpose as the governour proposed. 
Andros however persisted, and on Friday, the 25th of March, 
1687, had a service performed there : ' good man Needham, 
though he had resolved to the contrary, being prevailed upon 
to ring the bell and open the door at the governour's com- 
mand.' 



* ' Aug. 5. Mr. Harris, boddice-maker, is the first buried with Common Prayer : he w a*^ 
formerly Bantlotpb's landlord.' ScvraWs Diary in Hoimts'' Annals. 



192 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

It is probable, that the council acceded to the request of 
the church, and granted them a brief for obtaining subscrip- 
tions, for they proceeded to build a house of worship. It is 
usually said to have been founded in 1688 : the first record, 
that speaks of it as if finished, is dated July, 1689, and is a 
list of those ' that contributed' towards the house. They 
were 106 in number, and the amount of their contributions 
was £2j6. 9s. Od. The cost of the house was £284. I6s. Od. 
exclusive of some items for which no charge was made. It 
was a wooden building, with a steeple, and occupied part of 
the land on which the Stone Chapel now stands. How the 
society obtained possession of the lot does not appear. It had 
been the property of the town ; but whether Johnson, as is the 
0[)inion of some, had reserved a portion of it for the site of a 
church, or whether, according to another opinion, Andros ex- 
ercised the power, which the annihilation of the charter was 
supposed to give the king over all landed estate, and of his 
own will appropriated it to the use of the church, must remain 
undecided. At first there were no pews in the house ; in 
1694, fifty-three persons subscribed toward the building of 
pews ; those probably were all attendants on the service of 
the church. Down to May, 1698,wc find the building called 
His Majesty's chapel ; in November, King's chapel, and m 
1713, Queen's chapel, in honour of queen Anne. 

Mr. Ratcliffc, the first rector (who had an assistant by the 
name of Robert Clarke) came over with Mr. Dudley. He is 
noticed by Dunton, who says, he ' read the common prayer in 
his surplice and preached in the town-house on Lord's days. 
He was an eminent preacher, and his sermons were useful 
and well dressed : 1 was once or twice to hear him, and it 
was noised about, that Dr. Anncslcy's son-in-law was turned 
apostate : but I could easily forgive 'em, in regard the 
common prayer and surplice were religious novelties in New- 
England.' 

It may be noted here, that, under the charter government, 
the clergy had never performed any part of the ceremonies 
at marriages or funerals, except an occasional prayer, ' lest it 
might in time introduce the customs of the English church.' 
Upon ]\lr. Dudley's being appointed President, in 1686, he 
published an order of council, authorizing and empowering 
ministers and justices to " consummate marriages :" and in 
1688, we find Mr. Ratclifle persisting in the performance of 
the burial service at the grave of one Lilly, in opposition to 
the will of his executors. After that time our present customs 
in these respects came slowly into vogue. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 193 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

She deals in charms— can read the book of fat^ 
Apd tells the future with unerring skUK 

Athcneum. 

The execution of Mrs. Hibbins for witchcraft had been 
disapproved by many people of note, and it is not unlikely 
that her death saved the lives of many, who migjht have been 
made the victims of a delusion, which, in the thirt}^ years suc- 
ceeding, had brought many to believe that there might exist 
such a thing as a witch, or person favoured with uncommon 
communications from the prince of darkness. In 1687 oi' 
'88 an instance occurred in Boston, which was more alarm- 
ing than any that had preceded it. It certainly entitles us to 
divide the credit, which our sister town of Salem has borne 
away so long. 

' Four of the children of John Goodwin, a grave man and 
a good liver at the north part of Boston, were generally be- 
lieved to be bewitched. I have often heard persons, who 
were of the neighbourhood, speak of the great consternation 
it occasioned. The children were all remarkable for ingenu- 
ity of temper, had been religiously educated, and were 
thought to be without guile. The eldest was a girl of thir- 
teen or fourteen years. She had charged a laundress with 
taking away some of the family linen. The mother of the 
laundress was one of the wild Irish, of bad character, and 
gave the girl harsh language ; soon after which she fell into 
fits, which were said to have something diabolical in them. 
One of her sisters and two brothers followed her example,, 
and, it is said, were tormented in the samepart of their bodies 
at the same time, although kept in separate apartments, and 
ignorant of one another's complaints. One or two things were 
said to be very remarkable ; all their complaints were in the 
day time, and they slept comfortably all night ; they were 
struck dead at the sight of the assembly's catechism. Cotton's 
milk for babes, and some other good books, but could read in 
Oxford's jests. Popish and Quaker books, and the common 
prayer, without any difficulty. Is it possible the mind of man 
should be capable of such strong prejudices, as that a suspi^ 
cion of fraud should not immediately arise ? But attachments 
to modes and forms in religion had such force, that some of 
these circumstances seem rather to have confirmed the credit 
of the children. Sometimes they would be deaf, then dumb, 
25 



104 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

then blind ; and sometimes all these disorders together would 
come upon them. Their tongues would be drawn down their 
throats, then pulled out upon their chins. Their jaws, necks, 
shoulders, elhows, and all their joints would appear to be dislo- 
cated ; and they would make most piteous outcries of burnings, 
of being cut with knives, beat, &c. and the marks of wounds 
were afterwards to be seen. The ministers of Boston and 
Charlestown kept a day of fasting and prayer at the troubled 
house ; after which, the youngest child made no more com- 
plaints. The others persevered, and the magistrates then 
interposed, and the old woman was apprehended ; but upon 
examination would neither confess nor deny, and appeared to 
"be disordered in her senses. Upon the report of physicians, 
that she was compos merj^js, she was executed, declaring at her 
death the children should not be relieved. The eldest, after 
this, was taken into a minister's family, where at first she be- 
haved orderly, but after some time suddenly fell into her fits. 
The account of her affliction is in print ; some things are 
mentioned as extraordinary, which tumblers are every day 
taught to perform ; others seem more than natural ; but it was 
a time of great credulity. The children returned to their or- 
dinary behaviour, lived to adult age, made profession of reli- 
gion, and the affliction they had been under they publickly 
declared to be one motive to it. One of them 1 knew many 
years after. She had the character of a very sober, virtuous 
woman, and never made any acknowledgment of fraud in this 
transaction. The printed account was published, with a pre- 
face by Mr. Baxter, who says, ' the evidence is so convincing, 
that he must be a very obdurate Sadducee, who will not be- 
lieve.' Says Hutchinson, from whom this account is taken, 
' it obtained credit sufficient, together with other preparatives, 
to dispose the whole country to be easily imposed upon i)y 
the more extensive and more tragical scene, which was pres- 
ently after acted at Salem and other parts of the county of 
Essex.' 

In 1690, August 3d, a fire near the Mill bridge, across the 
creek in Hanover street, consumed several houses : and the 
fire known as the fifth great fire happened September 
16th, near the [Old] South meeting-house, greatly endangered 
it, and burnt several houses. A lad was burnt to death in 
the house where it began. 

1691, June 30th, in the sixth great fire, which happened at 
the King's Head, by Scarlett's wharf. North-end, several 
houses were consumed. 



HISTORY or UOSTON. 195 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

The senate owns its gratitude to Cato, 
Wbo with so great a soul consults its safety, 
And guards our lives, while he neglects his own. 

Addison. 

However true the observation may have been, that the pec 
pie in general were patient under Andros's governnient, some 
of the principal men had thought it an object to endeavour to 
ol)tain relief from their sufierings, by a representation of their 
grievances to King Jam£s. It was proposed ' that some one 
should be sent with an address of thanks to the king, for his 
gracious declaration, wherein he does promise us the free ex- 
ercise of our religion, and that he will maintain us in the en- 
joyment of our rights and possessions.' Mr. Increase Mather, 
(then pastor of the Old North church, in conjunction with his 
son Cotton,) was selected for this purpose, and on propound- 
ing the matter to his church, Dec. 11, 1687, he found them 
all willing that he should go. He was ready to sail in April, 
1688, and did so, notwithstanding the machinations of Ran- 
dolph, who, on false pretences, was bringing an action against 
him about the same time. Mr. Mather was obliged to keep 
himself concealed, to avoid the service of the writ ; and when 
the vessel was ready to sail, some of his church carried him 
aboard, in the night, in disguise. 

Mr. Mather was the man of all the clergy, on whom the 
mantle of the departed Cotton seems to have rested. His in- 
tluence on the character of the town, and particularly on that 
part of it in which he resided, was equal to that of his revered 
exemplar. ' Ardent, bold, enterprising, and perhaps ambi- 
tious ; conscious of his own power, religiously sensible of his 
obligations to exercise it usefully ;* born and trained in a 
young colony struggling with hardships, and forcing its way 
through peril and fear ; his mind fashioned by a father, who 
for conscience'' sake had quitted all and settled in this hope- 
less land, and who had all the zeal and firmness which char- 
acterized the puritans of that age, a race eminently formed 
" to do and to dare ;" — thus gifted and educated, he became 
peculiarl}^ fit, and no wonder it was felt that he was fit, to 
have an ascendency and exercise a control. He had re- 



196 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

ceived the best education of his own country, he had com- 
pleted it abroad, he had been driven from place to 
place, suffering for his religion, and presented with 
strong temptations to abandon it, thus acting a hurried 
and various part in the most trying times in the mother 
country — and after this discipline, so calculated to give firm- 
ness and character, he returned to labour in the service of 
this infant state. Nothing can be conceived more likely to 
prepare a man to act well his part in so peculiar a scene. He 
soon became eminent. Talents, learning, and virtue are al- 
ways commanding. In that age a religious spirit was indis- 
pensable to honour and power. Mather had all. He was 
conspicuous for rigid piety where all were rigid, and eminent 
for talents and knowledge, where many had been eminent be- 
fore him. It therefore is not strange that he acquired a con- 
trol to which few are equal, and received and held honours 
which would not now be bestowed upon ministers.' 

Mr. Mather's exertions and remonstrances with James II. 
were unavailing, and he determined to wait the event of the 
Prince of Orange's expedition. Soon after the withdrawal of 
James, he was introduced to the prince, and obtained some 
partial favours, and royal promises of more. Mr. M. impro- 
ved all his time in unwearied efforts to secure friends for his 
country. Besides several of the nobility and principal com- 
moners, he had engaged the whole body of the dissenting 
ministers, whose weight at that time was far from inconsidera- 
ble. Before any thing was completed, the general court 
thought it advisable to send over two of their members to join 
with Mr. Mather and Sir Henry Ashurst (whose services he 
had retained) in maintaining their charges against their op> 
pressors, as well as in soliciting the restoration of the charter, 
with such additional privileges as should be thought proper. 
The persons appointed were Doctors Elisha Cooke and 
Thomas Oakes, both practitioners of medicine in Boston, just 
rising into eminence in the political theatre, in which both 
sustained very eminent parts afterwards. The result of all 
their petitions and remonstrances, suggestions and objections 
was, that anew charter was formed, in which ' the colony of 
New Plymouth, the province of Maine and the country of 
Nova Scotia, with the lands between the two latter, were 
joined to Massachusetts.' 

Sir William Phips was appointed the first governour under 
the new order of things. He arrived at Boston with the 
charter, Saturday the 14th of May, 1692, towards evening. 
On Monday he was conducted from his house to the town- 
house, by ihe regiment of Boston, the military companies of 
Charlestown, the magistrates, ministers, and principal gentle- 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 197 

men of Boston and the adjacent towns. The charter was first 
published, then the governour's commission ; and thereupon 
the venerable old charter governour Bradstreet resigned the 
chair ; not without a deep sigh from many of the spectators. 
After publishing the lieutenant-govcrnour's commission, and 
administering the oaths, the governour was conducted, with 
the same parade, to the place appointed for a publick dinner, 
and from thence to his house again.' 

His residence was in Charter-street at the corner of Salem- 
street, which was then called Green-lane, in the house now 
occupied by the Asylum for indigent boys. It is a three-story 
brick house, in an elevated situation, commanding a delightful 
view of the harbour and of the surrounding country. 

The charter named the persons who were to form the coun- 
cil for the first j'ear, and made provision for the organizatioH 
of an assembly or house of representatives. Writs were issu- 
ed without delay, and the first court under the new charter 
met on the 8th of June, 1692. Although a party was formed, 
which opposed submission to the charter, a majority of the 
court " thankfully accepted it, and appointed a day of solemn 
thanksgiving to Almighty God, for granting a safe arrival to his 
excelleiuy ihe Gov evnour and the Rev.Mr. I. Mather, who have 
industriously endeavoured the service of this people, and have 
brought over with them a settlement of government, in which 
their majesties have graciously given us distinguishing marks 
of their royal favour and goodness." 

The court interpreted their powers with regard to the ap- 
portionment of representatives so as to allow Boston four 
members in the house, which continued to be her numbet 
tmtil the revolution in 1775. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

"Just a stained stone, 
To mark the spot so holy once, 
And with ^^''^y moss o'ergrown." 

The Society of Friends and the French Protestant Church 
having both become extinct in Boston, we shall introduce in 
this place the information we have been able to obtain con- 
cerning their history. The denomination of Quakers took its 
rise in Leicestershire (E.) in 1644. The first that came to 
Boston were Mary Fisher and Anne Austin, who arrived from 
Barbadoes in the fore part of the oth month, 1656. These 



198 HISTonV OF BO.STf». 

women were made prisoners on board the vessel ; the books 
they brought with them were burnt, and they were taken to 
gaol and confined, as were seven other^, in about a month 
after. Nicholas Upshall, an aged member of a Boston 
church, whose humane and tender feelings induced him to 
apply to the gaoler for leave to furnish them with provisions, 
and even to purchase that liberty at the price of 5s. a week, 
was for thus doing and bearing his testimony, weeping, against 
the pcr^ecution of these peojile, fined £20, and banished the 
colony, though he was both a freeman and freeholder in the 
town. He was permitted to return in about five years, and 
opened his house, and furnished a room in it, for the use of 
travelling Friends. 

Such was the dread of the influence of this sect, that severe 
laws were immediately passed to prevent their entraiice into 
the jurisdiction, on penally of fines, stripes, and imprison- 
ment. This not proving effectual, it was enacted, that any 
Quaker found here should have one of his ears cut off for the 
jirst offence, and lose the other for a second, and have his 
tongue bored through with a hot iron for the third. Three 
Quakers, Holden, Copeland, and Rouse, lost each his right 
ear under this law. by the hand of the hangman, in Boston 
prison, Sept. 16, 1G58. 

All this severity was of no avail ; the persecutors seem to 
have been infuriated, and their fury drove the Quakers to 
acts of desperation. They still came into the colony: the 
court ordered some to be sold as slaves for the pa3-ment of 
their fines ! this frightened the particular objects of the order, 
and they were suffered to go to their own homes. The seer 
grew under all these disadvantages, and several families went 
over to it : the magistrates were more provoked, arid the gen- 
eral court passed a law to banish all Quakers, not inhabitants, 
upon pain of death. Four persons suflercd death at Boston 
by virtue of this law ; viz. VVm. Robinson, Marmaduke Ste- 
venson, VVm. [-.eddra, and Mary Dyer; the last on the first of 
June, 16G0. She had been conspicuous in .Mrs. Hutchinson's 
controversy, and that probably aggravated her guilt. Her 
son came forward and plead for her pardon, but in vain. One 
of the officers under the gallows at the time of her execution, 
Edward Wanton, was so affected at the sight, that he became 
a convert to the cause of the Friends. The Quakers discos - 
ered, that this law was an exercise of power not authorized 
by the patent, and made such complaints to the king that no 
further execution of it ever took place : whipping at a cart's 
tail, thioujih all the towns in their way out of the jurisdiction, 
was substituted for death. 

The first meeting of Friends in Boston, of which we have 
account, was at the house of Mr. Wanton, on the 4th of May, 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 199 

1G64, when a warrant was issued to apprehend the preacher, 
and report the names of his hearers to the governour. The 
spirit of persecution was kept ahve and manifested itself in 
various ways, after this. On the 9th of August, 1675, there 
were apprehended, at their ordinary plnce of meeting, Robt. 
Edmund, Edw. Shippen, John Soames. Jere. Deb&e, George 
Danson, Miles Foster, Humphrey Hodges, Bridget Phillips, 
Tho. Scott, Wdi. Neal, Eph. Stration, Elizabeth Bowers 
(senior and junior), Geo. Walker. Twelve of these 14 were 
whipped ; the other two paid their fine. At the next meeting 
day, lo were whipped, viz. the eight first abovenamed, with 
Wm. Richardson, Thomas Holburn, Rebecca Levy, Josiah 
Southwick, Wm. IMumford, Eliphalet [?] Straiten, and Anna 
Wilson. We have mentioned the names, to give the best ac- 
count we can obtain, of the number of men Friends in and 
near Boston at the time.* 

Under the new charter, the Quakers, Baptists, and Episco- 
palians were placed on more equal ground with their neigh- 
bours, and some laws passed in 1C92 exempting them from 
taxation. In 1694, the Quakers had a lot in Brattle-street, 
measuring 108 by 25^ ft. for a meeting-house and burying 
lot. and built a brick house thereon 24 by 20 ft. which was 
secured to the society by Messrs. Mumford, Shippen, Soames, 
Wanton abovenamed, and Walter Clark of Newport and Wm. 
Chamberlain of Hull, '• to the only, sole, and proper use, for the 
service and worship of Almighty God, by the society or com- 
munity of people called Quakers.' In 1708, it was concluded 
to sell the old meeting-house and build a new one, if leave 
could be obtained to build of wood ; but in 1709 the com- 
mittee, Walter Newberry, John Wing, and Thomas Richard- 
son, reported their disappointment in this respect, and it was 
therefore concluded to build of brick, a house 35 ft. long and 
30 ft. wide. This was the building now standing in Congress- 
street, which is dated on the old plans of the town as if erect- 
ed in 1710 ; the deed, however, by which the lot was con- 
veyed to the society, June 10, 1717, speaks of ' the brick 
meeting-house lately erected thereon,' which would leave a 
doubt whether it was built so early. This is the oldest of 



* For this and other infonnation we are indebted to a venerable professor of the denomi- 
nation. 

Town Records, 1673. Alex'r. Coleman, shoemaker, ' the Quaker that came into the third 
meeting-house in a blood}' coat,' is presented to the county court as a person unfit to abide 
here. At another time Tho. Newhouse went into a meeting-bnnse with a couple of great 
glass bottles, and breaking them against one another, in the face of the congregation, said, 
Thus will the Lord break yon inpiccet. Similar acts of imprudence are attributed to others : 
all which seem to be the result of phrensy, induced by the equally senseless cruelty wiib 
which they were goaded. 



200 UlSTOUY OF BOSTON. 

the meeting-houses now standing in the city. It was burnt in 
the great fire of 1760, and in the same year it was concluded 
by the yearly meeting to repair it, which was done. 

Tlie Friends were never numerous in this place. ' In the 
eleventh month, 1774,' says our informant, ^ I was in Boston 
and visited every family, and took account of their names as 
follows : Ebenczer Pope, Joiin Pope, Samuel Pope, James 
Raymcr, John Phillips, Ephraim Silsbee, Nathanael Low, 
Ezra Collins, Ezra Curten, Daniel Silsbee, Josiah Gorham : 
these eleven were all the members belonging to Boston meet- 
ing of Friends. I was at a monthly meeting there, which was 
small ; it was held alternately at Boston and Lynn or Salem ; 
they were then in a declining state.' Their numbers dimin- 
ished after that, and the meetings were discontinued b}' a 
regular vote in . The house has been descried, 

the burying-ground undisturbed for several years, and we 
know not now of a single professed Friend in Boston. 

The French church became embodied about the same time, 
but did not flourish so long as the Quakers. After having 
endured severe persecutions, the Protestants in France were 
relieved from their distresses by the edict of Nantes, issued 
by Henry IV. in 1598. Lewis XIV. confirmed it in lGo2, 
but soon after sufl'ercd its provisions to be violated.* The 
protestants were deprived of all offices, hundreds of their 
churches desolated, and at last, in 1685, the edict was formal- 
ly revoked, and multitudes were compelled by this act to 
flee from the country. Some sought shelter in England and 
Ireland: others directed their way to America, and some of 
these settled in Boston. Those who arrived here probably 
came in the summer of 1686, for contributions were taken on 
their behalf at Salem, in September of that year ; and we also 
find in Cotton Mather's MS. notes of sermons, under date of 
Sept. 12. and Oct. 7. minutes of discourses by a Mr. 
Laurie, from the tenour of which it is is apparent that he was 
of the number. Pierre Baudouin (the ancestor of (he Bow- 
doin family) fled first to Ireland, and thence came to Maine in 
1687, and soon after to Boston. The first notice we discover 
of the church in this place is in the Magnalia, (i. 86) where 
the author enumerates among the churches in Boston, ' a 
French congregation of Protestant refugees, under the pasto- 
ral care of Monsieur Daille,' t 

** John Toiiton, a French doctor and inhabitant of Rochi-Ue in France, made application to 
the court in behalf of himself and other protestants expelled from their habitations on ac- 
count of their religioo, that they might have liberty to inhabit here, which was readily grant- 
ed to them.' HuUh. vol. i. Col. rtc. lCti2. p, 413. 

t The records uf this chuixh are supposed to be in existence, but we have not been able to 
liscovcr tbvro. A l>ible presented by Queen Anne is ali-o ineutioned in JUasf. li, C 1. iii- 264 



HISTORY OF BOSTOK. 201 

M. Daille continued to be pastor of this church till his 
death, which took place on the morning of Friday, May 20, 
1715. He was about 66 years of age ; ' a person of great 
piety, charity, affable and courteous behaviour, and of an 
exemplary life and conversation : much lamented, especially 
by his flock.' Monsieur D. had buried two wives, Eslher- 
Latonice, who died Dec. 14, 1696, and Seike, who died, Aug. 
31, 1713; and he left a widow, whose name was Martha. 
His will required, that his body should be ' decently inter- 
red' according to the discretion of his executor, Mr. James 
Bovvdoin, ' with this restriction, that there be no wine at my 
funeral, and none of my wife's relations have any mourning 
clothes furnished them, except gloves.' All the ministers of 
the town, together with Mr. Walter, are presented with gloves 
and scarfs : his books are given to form a library for the 
church ; £lOO for the benefit of the minister, and £10 to be 
pui to interest, until the church should erect a meeting-house, 
when it was to be appropriated towards the expenses of the 
same. He remembers his brother ' Paul Daille Vaugelade 
in Amsfort in Holland,' and signs himself £)ai7/e, omitting his 
baptismal name of Peter. 

From the above notice of a raeetlng-housc, it appears that 
the French church, which once stood in School-street, on the 
lot next cast of the Universal meeting-house, was not erected 
till after 1715. The lot had come into their possession, Jan. 

4, 1705, by a conveyance from Mears to ' John Tar- 

tarien, Francis Breedon, Jean Depuis, elders of the said 
French church, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the 
congregation — being to erect and build a church upon for 
the use of the F. congregation in Boston, to meet therein for 
the worship and service of Almighty God, according to the 
way and manner of the reformed churches of France.' On 
the 7th of Feb. 1705, ' John Portree, F. Breeden, and John 
Dupee,' petitioned the selectmen for licence to erect a wood- 
en building for a meeting-house of 35 by 30 ft. on that piece 
of land. It was judged ' not convenient to grant the same, 
since they have the offer of the free liberty to meet in the 
new school-house, as they had for some years past done in 
the old, and that being sufficient for a far greater number of 
persons than doth belong to their congregation.' The brick 
building was probably erected in 1716 : it is mentioned by 
C. Mather in Jan. 1717. 

M. Daille's successor was the Rev. Andrew Le Mercier, 
whose name is found on the town records in 1719. He pub- 
lished a church history of Geneva, in 1732, from which it 
appears that he was educated in that country. This church 
did not increase in number sufficiently to enable them to 
26 



202 HISTORY OF BOSTOA. 

support the expenses of a separate house of worship and on 
that account the society was discontinued. On the 7th of 
March, 1748, the proprietorship of the house in School-street 
was transferred to several gentlemen as trustees of a new con- 
gregational church. The transfer was made by Stephen 
Boutineau, only surviving elder, Zach. Johonnot, Jean Ar- 
nault, John Brown, Andrew Johonnot, James Packonett, Wm. 
Bowdoin, Andrew Sigourney, members, and Mr. Le Mercier, 
the minister. Mr. Le M. after that resided at Dorchester, but 
removed again to Boston, and died here, March, 31, 1764, 
' after a long indisposition of body, in the 72d year of his 
age.' One of his daughters and Mr. Z. Johonnot were joint 
executors of his will. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Buclc. You are too senseless obstinate, my lord: 
Too ceremonious and traditional. 

Shakspeare. 

The seventh religious society formed in Boston was the 
fourth Congregational, or Brattle-street church. ' A number 
of good men,' says Dr. Thacher's century sermon, 'distin- 
guished for their liberality of thinking, as well as for their 
regard to the gospel and its ordinances, laid the foundation 
of this church.' The earliest date, at which we find them 
associated, is Jan. 10, 1698, on which day Thomas Brattle, 
Esq. conveyed to them a piece of land called lirattlt's close, 
which makes part of the lot now in possession of the church. 
The grantees were Thos. Clark, Thos. Cooper, Benja. Wal- 
ker, Bcnja. Davis, Wm. Keen, Richard Draper, Wm. Harris, 
Zech. 'l\ithill, John Colman, Jos. Allen, John Kilby, John 
Mico, Thos. Bannister, Timo. Clark, Stephen Miiiot, Abr. 
Blush, Thos. Palmer, James Meers, Elkanah Pembroke, 
Addington Davenport. 

' As to the doctrines of religion, these good men did not difler 
professedly from their brethren of other churches, while they 
thought that in some respects the religious practices of the 
day might be improved. Under these circumstances it was 
necessary for them to choose a minister, who agreed with 
them in sentiment,' and accordingly, in the spring of 1699, 
they sent a letter of invitation to Mr. Benjamin Colman, a 
native of Boston and graduate of Harvard College, who was 
then pursuing his studies in England. ' From an apprehen- 
sion that he might meet with dilliculty in procuring ordination 



UISTORY OF BOSTON. 203 

here, they requested him to ask it of the ministers in London, 
who readily granted his desire, and the solemnity was atten- 
ded on the 4th day of August, after a publicii lecture, at the 
meeting-house of the Rev. Mr. Christopher Taylor.' 

On the first of the following November, Mr. Colman arri- 
ved at Boston ; and on the 17th of that month a publication 
appeared, with the title of ' A manifesto or declaration, set 
forth by the undertakers of the new church, now erected in 
B. in N. E.' in which, ' for preventing all misapprehensions 
and jealousies,' they say, ' we think it convenient to publish 
our aims and designs herein, together with those principles 
and rules we intend, by God's grace, to adhere unto.' ' On 
Tuesday, Dec. 12th, at a private meeting at Mr. Mico's 
house, after solemn calling upon God,' the eleven grantees 
first abovenamed, with Mr. Brattle and Messrs. John and 
Oliver Noyes, united to form the church, and ' declared their 
consent and agreement to walk together in all the ordinances of 
our Lord Jesus Christ.' The 24th instant, being Lord's-day, 
was agreed upon for their first meeting in their ' pleasant 
new-built church.' Mr. Colman preached on the occasion 
from 2 Chron. vi. 18. The ' Manifesto' and other ' miscar- 
riages,' which this society had ' fallen into,' gave so great of- 
fence, that some of the clergymen of the town refused to unite 
with them in the observance of a day of prayer ; but by 
some means, an accommodation took place prior to Jan. 31, 
1700, when both the Mathers and Mr. Willard joined with 
them on a similar occasion. 

The doctrines which this church espoused could not have 
been exceptionable, for they declare, ' we approve and sub- 
scribe the confession of faith put forth by the assembly of 
divines at Westminster ;' but they introduced some changes 
as to ' modes of order and discipline,' which probably were 
the cause of alarm and dissatisfaction. They adopted the 
custom of reading some part of the holy scriptures, and ' con- 
cluded to have the Lord's prayer used once in each season 
of publick worship.' The admission to full communion was 
deemed, by the first settlers of this country, as matter 
of great importance. The general opinion was, that none 
should partake of this privilege but such as were truly born 
of God. ' In order that the chui-ch might judge of this fact, a 
relation of his christian experiences, either written or oral, 
was required of every candidate for this privilege. This 
usage had degenerated into a matter of mere form, and such 
a similarity prevailed in these instruments, as gave too much 
occasion for ridicule. In this church, therefore, the practice 
was disused ; at least it was not required, while every one 
was left at liberty to do it.' 



204 HISTORY OF BOSTOJT. 

' In ancient days the choice of minister (as well as the 
choice of civil ofliccrs) was confined to those who were in full 
communion with the church. In this respect also they dif- 
fered from the general practice. " We cannot, say they, 
confine the right of choosing a minister to the communicants 
alone, but we ihink that every baptized adult person, who 
contributes to the maintenance, should have a vote in elect- 
ing."' — But there were man}' men, some from a reverence to 
ancient institutions, and a convicton of their propriety, some 
from dread of innovation, and others from a fear that this new 
and popular society would diminish their own societies and 
lessen the influence they held, who exclaimed loudly against 
this new establishment, which they called, by way of deris- 
ion, the Manifesto church. Respectable and opulent as 
were the men who formed it. thej' found it difficult for a time 
to stem the torrent of publick opinion which ran strongly 
against them, and overcome the jealousy which their neigh- 
bours felt of being eclipsed by them.* 

Following the order of time, we mention here tbat 
the By-laws of the town, which had been accumulating 
for seventy years, were put into order and renewed by a 
vote in 1701, and first published in a printed form in 1702. 

The Seventh Great Fire happened in the year 1702, on the 
11th of iMarch, near the dock. Three ware-houses were 
blown up to stop its progress. The destruction of property 
•was so extensive, as to be mentioned in official papers * as a 
great loss to the town.' 

In 1704 the first newspaper published in the English colo- 
nies in North America, appeared in Boston. It was printed 
on half a sheet of pot paper, with a small-pica type, folio, and 
was entitled. 

The Boston News-Letter. 



From i-Hontiag, April 17, to XHOUtJnD, April 24, 1704. 

The proprietor's name was John Campbell, a Scotchman, 
who was established here as a bookseller. The imprint is, 
" Boston ; printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boone^ 



* This church voted to dispense with the custom of singinp \he psalms in publick worship 
line by line, Dec. 20, 1699. Between 1717 and 17i.M they bad a singing society, which was 
the first III the town, that introduced siugiAg by note.— CUh. Ilec— Mass. 11. C. 2. iv. 3(!J> 
Also Ap|H-Ddii, No. IV. 



HISTORY OF BOSTOy. 205 

at his Shop near the Old Meeting-House." Green was Camp- 
bell's printer, and Boone was for some weeks his publisher.* 

The tirst number contained the following prospectus : — 
' This News Letter is to be continued Weekly ; and all Per- 
sons who have any Houses, Lands. Tenements, Farmes, Ships, 
Vessels. Goods. \Vares, or Merchandizes tS::c. to be sold or 
Lett ; or Servants Runaway : or Goods Stoll or Lost may 
have the same Inserted at a Rpasonable Rate ; from Twelve 
Pence to Five Shillings, and not to exceed ; ^Vho may agree 
with J\"icholas Boone for the same at his shop next door to 
MajorDavis's.Apothecary in Boston near the old Meetinghouse. 

' All Persons in Town and Country may have said News- 
Letter Weekly upon reasonable tearms agreeing with John 
Campbell Post Master for the same.' 

So early as Dec. 8. 1686. the inhabitants at Muddy river 
had obtained an order from the president and council, that 
said hamlet should henceforth be free from town rates to the 
town of Boston, and have the privilege of meeting ' annually 
to choose three men to manage their affairs.' The conditions 
were, that they should support their own expenses, erect a 
school-house, and maintain a reading and writing master. 
After the overthrow of Andros, the town of Boston disannul- 
led this order, by a vote, in March, 1690, ' that M. R. inhabi- 
tants are not discharged from B. to be a hamlet by them- 
selves, but stand related to B. as they did before the jear 
sixteen hundred and eighty-six.' As the inhabitants there 
increased in numbers and in wealth, they were emboldened 
again to seek a complete separation. Accordingly, in March, 
1701, they requested the consent of Boston, ' to be a district 
or hamlet separate from the town.' Instead of granting their 
request, the inhabitants of Boston rigorously exercised over 
them all the authority they possessed. Finding their appli- 
cation to Boston ineffectual, they resolved to apply to still 
higher powers. They therefore in June, 1704, petitioned the 
governour. council, and assembly. On this, the inhabitants 
of Boston had several meetings, warmly remonstrated against 
the petition, and represented the request as highly ingrate- 
ful in this people, after having experienced so many favours. 
Their petition was at this time rejected. They however per- 
sisted in their request, and in the summer of 1705. presented 
a petition to be incorporated, signed by 32 freeholders, w hich 
was finally granted, and the signature of the governour to the 
act incorporating them as a distinct town, by the name of 



* At the time this paper was first published, and for many years afterward, there were 
licensers of the press. " Published by authority," I presume means nothing more than this 
—what appeared in this publication was not disapproved by the licensers.— TAonia*' Hist- 
of Printing in America, ii. 191. 



206 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Brookline, was passed November 13, 1705. It is supposed 
that this name was adopted from the circumstance, that 
Smelt brook is a boundary between that town and Cam- 
bridge, and that another brook, which falls into Muddy 
river, is a boundary between it and Roxbury.* 

OLD FRANKLIN HOUSE, 
IN MILK-STKEET. 




VIEW FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE OLD SOUTH MEETING-HOUSE. 

The year 1 706 is memorable in the annals of Boston for 
giving birth to Benjamin Franklin. His parents were named 
Josiah and Abiah : his father ' was a native of England, 
where he was bred to the trade of a silk dyer ;' but after set- 
tling in Boston, he devoted his attention to the business of a 
soap and tallow chandler. 

Franklin was born on the sixth of January, and is recorded 
as baptized on the same day, in the Old South church books. 



* See the order of the P. and C. in Town Records, 1880. We are also referred (Mass. H. 
C. 2. ii. Hi,) ' for tliis and all other information relating to the inccirporation of Brookline, 
to a bundle of ducumenla on file in the secretary's office of this commonwealth, under the 
date of 1705.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 207 

From this circumstance some have inferred that he was born 
in the house, which lately stood where the Furniture ware- 
house now stands, in Milk-street, nearly opposite the south 
door of that meeting-house, and where it is known that his 
father lived at some period. But wc have the testimony of 
his own declaration to a lady, now living, that the scene of his 
nativity was at the sign of the Blue Ball, corner of Union and 
Hanover-streets, where his father exercised his trade. The 
other house, however, having been more remarakble in its ap- 
pearance, and a drawing of it having been taken shortly before 
it was burnt (Dec. 29, 1810,) we have given it a place here. 

We have no record of any attempt to change the form of 
town government from that established in 1651 (see p. 138) 
until the year 1708. The seven Commissioners were annu- 
ally chosen during the old charter government, and the selec- 
tion was made from the most honourable among the inhabi- 
tants : the last choice was in August, 1691. On the 8th of 
Dec. 1708, the selectmen made the following proposals to the 
town, respecting a charter of incorporation. 

' That the orders and by-laws of this town already made, 
for directing, ordering and managing the prudential affairs 
thereof, have not answered the ends for which they were 
made, and the principal cause thereof is a general defect or 
neglect in the execution,without which the best laws will signify 
little, and one great reason why they are no better executed, 
is the want of a proper head, or town-officer, or officers em- 
powered for that purpose, the law having put the execution 
of town orders into the hands of the Justices only, who are 
not town, but county officers ; and it cannot be expected 
that they should take the trouble and care, or make it so much 
their business, as a town officer or officers particularly appoint- 
ed or chosen thereunto must needs do, and indeed, for any 
body or society of men as a town is, to be vested with pow- 
er to make rules and by-laws for their own good regulation, 
and not have power to appoint and choose the head officer or 
officers, who shall have power to execute their own orders 
and by- laws, seems incongruous. And good order is not to 
be expected while it remains so ; for while a town grows 
more populous, it will stand in need of a more strict regula- 
tion. The selectmen do, therefore, propose that this town 
do now choose a committee of a considerable number of the 
freeholders and other inhabitants of the town to draw up a 
scheme or draught of a Charter of Incorporation^ [or any 
other projection] for the encouragement and better govern- 
ment of this town, in the best methods as they shall think suit- 
able, and of the best and most suitable means for procuring 
and obtaining thereof, and to present the same to the town at 
their annual meeting.' Accordingly thirty-one of the most 



208 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

respectable citizens, including the selectmen, were chosen, 
seventeen of whom were to be a quorum. 

March 14th, 1709, the committee presented a draught to 
the town, which was read in the audience of the meeting. 
On the question whether the town will refer the consideration 
of the said scheme to some puhlick meeting to be warned for 
the same purpose ? — voted in the negative. On the question 
— whether the town do accept of the scheme or charter now 
read, yea or nay ? — voted in the negative. 

Hutchinson tells us, that most of the principal inhabitants 
were in favour of the measure. But the people entertained 
the opinion of a champion, who, when the subject was dis- 
cussed in town-meeting, concluded his speech with the pro- 
phetick warning, "" // is a whelp now^ it will be a Lion by 
AND BY : knock it in the hmd : Mr. Moderator, put the ques- 
tion." His hearers were ready, and tlie plan was rejected 
by a great majority, with a vote of thanks to the gentlemen, 
on whom they had imposed the labour of preparing it. 



CHAPTER XXX\ U. 

" higher still 

The blazing tide rose awfully." 

Mr. Henry Deering had proposed to the town ' to build 
a house to contain several ofiices, and a wharf below the 
Townhouse-street,' in December, 1707, but it does not appear 
that he met with any encouragement. The subject was re- 
newed in 1709, by Dr. Oliver Noyes and others, and the 
town referred the consideration of it to the selectmen, who 
made the following report on the 10th of March, 17lO. 

' Whereas the selectmen for the year past were by a vote 
of the inhabitants of this town, at their publick meeting on the 
19ih day of Dec. last past, appointed a committee to consitler 
the proposals of Capt. Oliver Noyes and some other gentle- 
men, about their building out a wharf from the lower end of 
King-street down to low-water mark, and to make report to 
the next town-meeting of what they shall think proper for the 
town to do concerning the same, the said committee have now 
presented their report thereof, and is as folloueth, viz. 

' We are of opinion th;it the proposal made by Dr. Oliver 
Ko^'es and other gentlemen, now signed by them and given 
in to the town at this meeting, will be a means to have the 
out-wharves brought into good repair, the doing of w hicli, 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 209 

With the planting of guns as proposed, may be a great safety 
(o this town, in case of the attack of an enemy, and will be of 
piiblici< and general good to the town, Provided the underta- 
kers be under penalty to perform what they have there pro- 
posed and what is intended, viz. that the street shall forever 
be open, its full breadth, from the end of King-street to the 
Circular line, and be no ways incumbered by them. 

' The aforementioned proposals made by Dr. Oliver Noyes 
and other gentlemen, signed by them and given in to the town 
at this meeting, and being read are as followeth, viz. 

' We the subscribers, some of the inhabitants of the town 
of Boston, do hereby promise and engage, that we and our 
associates will at our own cost and charge erect and build a 
wharf with a sutficient common sewer, at the approbation ol 
the selectmen, at the end of King-street to the Circular Line, 
as delineated by the plan, and that from thence we will erect, 
build, and maintain a wharf, the width of King-street, between 
Mr. [East] Apthorp's and Mr. [Andrew] Faneuil's, and con- 
tinue the same in a direct line to the [out] wharves, common- 
ly called the new wharves, and unto low-water mark, leaving 
always a way of 30 feet wide, on one of the sides thereof, as 
a highway for the use of the inhabitants of the said town and 
others, and to extend from one end of the same unto the 
other, forever ; and leaving a gap of 16 ft. wide, covered 
over, for lighters and boats to pass and repass, about the mid- 
dle of said wharf, or where the selectmen shall direct, as also 
a passage vva}'^ on the new wharves,on each side, for carts,etc. 
leaving the end of said wharf free for the town, when they 
shall see reason to plant guns for the defence of said town. 

' In consideration whereof, the freeh. and other inhabitants 
of the town of B. shall, do, give, grant, bargain, enfeoffee, and 
confirm unto us, the said subscribers, our heirs, assignees, and 
associates forever, the said wharf or flats, to be maintained 
as aforesaid, unto low-water mark, with all the liberties, priv- 
ileges, commodities, and appurtenances whatsoever, thereunto 
belonging, to our onlj', proper, and absolute use and behoof 
forever : and that the town of B. shall always defend us in 
the possession and peaceable improvement of the granted 
premises from any claim of the town, etc. And that no wharf 
beyond the said Circular Line be permitted to join or come 
nearer to us than sixty ft. forever ; and we do engage and 
promise to finish said wharf within the space of four years 
next after the date of the grant, if the right of the outwharves 
for 120 ft. where this line will fall can be procured by us. 
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, the 20th 
day of Feb. anno reginae viii. A. D. 1709 — 10. 

Oliver Noyes, James Barnes, John Gerrish, 
Daniel Oliver. John George. Anthonv Stoddard." 
27 



210 HISTORY OF BOSTON, 

Whereupon the town voted ' a jjrant to Cant. O. N. and 
company, accordins to their said proposals and tlie commit- 
tee's report, so as not to prejudice former grants/ The . se- 
lectmen were en)povvered to execute proper instruments in 
writing for confirming the grant, which they did on the 13th 
of iMay. The work was accomplished within the time 
limited. 

In the same year, 1710, it was voted, that a line of defence 
be forthwith made across the neck between Boston and Rox- 
bury. This constituted the Fortifications^ which were con- 
structed of stone and brick work for a foundation, with a 
parapet of sod work. A convenient number of great guns 
were ordered to be placed there, and a gate extended across 
the road. 

Something like the rudiments of a Post Office is discovera- 
ble in the colony records, May, 1677, when upon petition of 
several merchants of Boston, the court appointed Mr. John 
Hay ward, scrivener, ' to take in and convey letters according 
to their direction.' And the office of post-master appears to 
have been regulated by the colonial government until 1710, 
when an act of parliament established the office of P. M. gen- 
eral, who had liberty to keep one chief letter office in New 
York, and others at other convenient places in America. 
Campbell, the publisher of the News-Letter, who had been in 
the office for several years, was appointed at Boston. In 
1711, a southern and eastern mail, to Plymouth and Maine, 
ran once a week, and a western mail to Conn, and N. Y. once 
a fortnight. 

The prosperity of Boston, which seemed now to be grow- 
ing rapidly, received a check this year by a fire, that broke 
out on the evening of Tuesday, October 2d, about 7 o'clock. 
It originated in a building belonging to Capt. Ephraim Sav- 
age, in Williams's Court, from the carelessness of a poor 
woman, one Mary Morse, who suffered the fire ' to catch the 
oakum, which she was employed in picking of.' All the 
houses on both sides of Cornhill, from School-street to the 
Dock-square, were laid in ruins The wind being southerly, 
the meeting-house of the First Church was early found to be 
in danger, and some sailors went up into the steeple or cupola 
to save the bell. Whilst they were engaged in this service, 
the house was on fire below, and the stairs were consumed. 
They were seen at work just before the roof fell in, and all 
perished in the flames. All the upper part of King, or what 
is now called State-street, together with the Town-house, was 
lost, and some desolation made in Pudding- lane (Devonshire- 
street), and between Water-street and Spring-lane, liefore the 
violence of the flames could be conquered. There were then 
but two engines in the town, and the method taken to stop the 



^ IIISTOllY OF BOSTON. 211 

progress of the fire, by blowing up the houses, had a contrary 
effect, and served to scatter it. The number of houses des- 
troyed was computed near a hundred, and, by the best ac- 
count, about a hundred and ten famihes were turned out of 
doors. It being also a place of much trade, and filled with 
well-furnished shops of goods, not a little of the wealth of the 
town was now consumed. The rubbish from the ruins was 
used to fill up the Long-wharf. 

I'he houses which were built after this fire ' were of brick, 
three stories high, with a garret, a flat roof, and balustrade.' 
Some of them remain on each side of Cornhill ; one, now 
numbered 38 Washington-street, bears the date of 1712 on 
the front, W'ifh a coat of arms and the letters S. Zi. 

The First L hurch commenced building on the same spot 
where their old house had stood, on the 14th of April, 1712. 
They erected a large brick edifice of three stories in height, 
which was ready for use, and the first service performed in it 
May 3, 1713.* 

The general court at their next session after the fire, pass- 
ed a law creating the Board of Fire wards, whose number 
was originally ten. We recognize their symbol of authority 
in the badge of ' a staff of five feet in length, coloured red, 
and headed with a bright brass spire of six inches long.' The 
same court also proposed a plan for rebuilding the Town- 
house, which was concurred in by the town, Nov. 16, 1711. 
The Province was to bear one half of the expense, the county 
of SufTolk and town of Boston each one cjuarter. The house 
was so far finished, that a town-meeting was held in it, March 
8, 1714. 



CHAPTER XXXVm. 

To know, and knowing' worship God aright, 
Is yet more kingly : this attracts the soul, 
Governs the inner raan, the nobler part. 

Paradise Regained. 



In the winter of 1712, seventeen substantial mechanicks as- 
sociated for the purpose of establishing another church at the 
north part of the town, which, when formed, they named the 
New North Church. Their first meeting was at the house of 



* This being the first Congregational meeting-house built of brick, obtained in time the 
name of the Old Briilc. It stood till the year 1808 ; the last service being performed in it" 
on the 17th, and the first in the house in Chauncy-place ou the 21st, of July, in that year. 



212 UrSTOIlY OF UOSTON, 

Matthew Butler, who seems to have been the father of the 
association, and whose descendants have formed a part of the 
society to the present time. The projectors were joined by 
others, and obtained Uberty of the proper authority to erect 
a wooden building.* J hey procured a lot of land of Col. 
Thomas Hutchinson, at the corner of Hanover and Clark- 
streets, set up a house of small dimensions, and finished it, 
" as is observed in an ancient manuscript, without the assist- 
ance of the more wealthy part of the community, excepting 
what they derived from their prayers and good wishes." 

The liouse was dedicated on the 5th of May, 1714. The 
two Dr. IMathcrs officiated in the ceremonies of giving the 
right hand of fellowship to the new church, and the prayers 
were as usual on such occasions. On the evening of the 
same day, the church met at the house of Mr. Butler and sign- 
ed their covenant. On the 2d of August they came to the 
choice of a pastor. At the first trial, the suflrages were divi- 
ded between Mr. John Barnard and Mr. John Webb. The 
majority was for Mr. Webb : on a second trial, he had a 
unanimous vote. The election w'as immediately communica- 
ted to the congregation, who were convened in another place, 
and they " universally" concurred in the choice. An invita- 
tion was presented on the 4th and accepted on the 27th of the 
same month, and the ordination of Mr. Webb took place on 
the 20ih of October following. Dr. I. Mather acted as mod- 
erator. Dr. C. M. made the lirst prayer, and the pastor elect 
preached. The covenant was read and acknowledged : the 
church confirmed their choice, and Mr. Webb his accept- 
ance ; the moderator then gave the charge, and his son the 
right hand of fellowship, and the exercises were closed with 
singing and a blessing. 

I'he seventeen first associates were, Solomon and Elias 
Townsend, Erasmus Stevens, Moses Pierce, Caleb Lyman, 
Alex'r. Scars, Eben. Clough, John Goldthwait. Sam. Gard- 
ner, Wm. Parkman, John Bassett, Joshua Cheever, Matthew 
Butler, — John Pecker, Isaac Pierce, John Gofl", and James 
Barnard. The first thirteen, together with Mr. Webb, Benja. 
Gerrish, Nath. Kenney and Lately Gee, were the original 
signers of the church covenant.! 

At the session of the general court, July, 1715, a law was 
passe(J Mhat there be a Light-house erected at the charge of 
the province on the southernmost part of the Great Brewster, 
called Beacon Island, to be kept lighted from sunset to sun- 
rising.' 

* The govfrnour migbl grant a licence on certificate of approbation from th» Justices of 
peace and selfrinini of Hoslon, by (he law of 1699. 
t See ApjMJUili*) Wu. IV — llUtorifiU Notices of tbe Hew Norlli. 



HISTORY OF IJOSTON. 21S 

The formation of the New South Church and Society was 
the next event of moment. The lirst meeting on the subject 
was ' at the Bull [tavern, in Summer-street] in Boston, on 
Thursday, the 14th of July, 1715,' when it was voted, ' that 
the money received of Mr. Nath. Glover, except the charges 
arising thereon, viz. the balance, be given towards the erect- 
ing a meeting-house at the south-end of Boston, where the 
major part of the proprietors [in Mr. G.'s donation ?] shall be 
concerned.' Forty-four subscribers were soon found to en- 
gage in ' so good a work,' and ' a petition was drawn and 
presented to the town, on Tuesday, the 20th of Sept. 1715, 
and was as follows : 

' To the inhabitants of the town of Boston, the petition of 
sundry inhabitants at the southerly end of Boston, shovveth. 
That whereas we the subscribers have entered into a design, 
if we obtain leave, to erect a meeting-house for the publick 
worship of God at the south end of Boston, therefore desire 
a grant from this town of that piece or parcel of land, called 
Church Green, in Summer-street, for the erecting a meet- 
ing-house of 65 ft. long and 45 ft. broad, it being a suitable 
place for that service, and by the situation and name thereof 
intended, no doubt, by our forefathers for that purpose, and 
pray that the present selectmen of the town may be empow- 
ered to make a conveyance to the undertakers underwritten. 
Subscribed by Thomas Peck, Nicholas Boon, Samuel Adams, 
Eneas Salter, jun. Sam'l Greenleaf, Henry Hill, Jona. Simp- 
son, Eleaz. Dorby, David Craige, Wm. Engs, Eneas Salter, 
Thomas Salter, John Barton, Daniel Legre.' 

The town granted the petition, ' Provided the said meeting- 
house be erected and improved to that use within the space 
of three years next ensuing.' This was done, and the dedi- 
cation took place on the 8th of Jan. 1717. Rev. Benj. Wads- 
worth of the Old South and Cotton Mather both preached. 
Copies of their sermons were desired and published. Jan. 
11, a committee was appointed to supply the pulpit, with au- 
thority to allow 20s. for each sermon. Sept. 24, 1718, Mr. 
Samuel Checkley, of Boston, was unanimously chosen out of 
Several candidates, and invited to become pastor of this 
church. He accepted, and was ordained, April 15, 1719. 
The covenant was signed on the same day, by H. Hill, T. 
Peck, John Clough, T. Salter, S. Adams, Sam'l. Bridgham, 
Benja. White, and Thos. Downe.* 

* Covenant of the New South Church. 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God to joyne 
together in church communion, and acknowledgfing' our unworthiness of such a priviledge. 
and our inability to keep covenant with God, or to perform any spiritual duty, unless Christ 
shall enable us thereunto ; due (humbly depending on free grace for assistance and accep- 



214 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The Sixth Congregational church originated in a difficulty 
respecting the settlement of a colleague with the Rev- Mr. 
Webb, of the New North. Preparatory to that step, the 
church had adopted the following regulations, on the 1 3th of 
May, 1719. " Firsts the church shall go before and lead in 
the choice, according to the professed principles and practice 
of the churches in N. E. — 2d. Since the edification of the 
brethren of the congregation is to be considered on such an 
occasion, we are willing they should join with us in the call 
of a minister : that is to say, after the church have expressed 
their satisfaction with any particular person, we are willing 
that a major vote ol' the church and congregation, assembled 
together, as is usual in country towns, shall determine wheth- 
er the person, first chosen as aforesaid by the church, be 
finally settled in the pastoral office over us. And we all of 
LIS promise to make ourselves easy, and sit down contented 
by such determination, and purpose by the grace of God to 
do so, unless some weighty and conscientious reason oblige us 
to the contrary : but upon this condition, that our brethren 
of the congregation are willing to act upon the same princi- 
ples and to submit to the same rules." And those persons 
were to be allowed the privilege of voting, who had been con- 
stant hearers and contributors towards he support of publick 
worship, and should sign a declaration of their assent to the 
above rule. 

The 9th of September following was set apart as a day of 
prayer, and as soon as the exercises of the day were ended, 
the members of the church proceeded to cast their votes ; 
but lest there should be a breach upon the solemnities of the 
day, they were sealed up, without examination. On the morn- 



tance) in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, and in the presence of God himself, the blessed 
angels, and all his servants here present, freely covenant, and solemnly bind ourselves, to 
serve the God, whose name alone is Jehovah, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, the only living 
and true God ; cleaving to him, as our chief good, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, as our 
only Saviour, Prophet, I'riest, and Kinjrnf our souls, in a way of Gospel obedience ; aToucU- 
ing the Lord to be our God, and the God of our children, whom we give unto him, counting 
it, as a high favour, that the Lord will accept of us, and our children with us, to be his 
people. We do also give ourselves, one unto another, in the Lord ; covenanting to walk 
together, as a Church of Christ, In all the ways of his worship — according to the rules given 
us in his holy word ; promising, in brotherly love, faithfully to watch over one another's 
souls, and to submit ourselves to the discipline and power of Christ, in his Church, and duly 
to attend the Seals and Censures, or whatever ordinances, Christ has commanded to be ob- 
served by his people, so far, as the Lord, by his word, and Spirit, has or shall reveal unto 
us, to be our duty ; beseeching the Lord, to own us for his people, and to delight to dwell in 
the midst of us ; and that we may keep our Covenant with God, we desire to deny our- 
kelves, and to depend entirely on the free mercy of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ, 
and wherein we shall fail, to wait on him for pardon, through his name ; beseeching the 
Lord, to own us a» a Church of Christ, and to delight to abide io the midst of us^ 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 213 

ing of the 10th, the church met, when the votes were count- 
ed, *nd the Rev. Peter Thacher had 34 out of 44. On the 
16th day of the same month, the coniiregation mtt, by desire, 
to express their concurrence, if it might be, with the vole of 
the church. When the question was proposed to the conven- 
tion, a protest against the proceedings was produced, signed 
by 6 members of the church and 39 of the congregation, in 
which they charged the church ' with the base design of en- 
snaring them,' by the vote passed professedly in favour of the 
congregation. They refused to leave this memorial of their 
grievances, and probably retired, as the records state that the 
other brethren brought in their votes, which were 46, and all 
for Mr. Thacher. 

The 27th of Jan. 1720 was appointed for the installation. 
The five Congregational churches in Boston, the first in Sa- 
lem, and those at Cambridge, Dorchester, Romney-Marsh, 
and Milton, were invited to attend. A few days before the 
time appointed for the installation, ' the aggrieved brethren,' 
by the advice of Boston ministers, proposed that their differ- 
ences should be referred to a council. The church declined 
acceding to the proposal, on account of the time and manner 
in which it was brought forward. 

The appointed day arrived, and not one of the Boston min- 
isters appeared to sit in the council : of those invited from the 
neighbouring towns, only Mr. Cheever from Romney Marsh, 
and Mr. Peter Thacher of Milton came ; one with the con- 
sent of his church, accompanied by delegates, the other, 
alone, in opposition to the vote of his church. They met at 
the house of Mr. Webb, which was at the corner of North 
Bennet and Salem-streets. The aggrieved brethren were as- 
sembled at the house of Thomas Lee. Esq. which is the house 
in N. Bennet-street, next to the Universal meeting house, and 
was to be passed, if the council should use the common streets 
to get to the New North. A deputation from the aggrieved 
brethren waited upon the council, with a remonstrance against 
their proceeding to business, which they wished to prevent, 
peaceably, if they could : if that could not be done, they had 
resolved to prevent the council from going to the meeting- 
house, by force. 

After some consideration and debate, the council resolved, 
that there was nothing oftered or objected, which was of suf- 
ficient weight to prevent their proceeding to business. As 
going through the publick streets was likely to produce con- 
fusion and uproar, Mr. Webb, after notifying the church that 
the council were ready, led them out of a back gate into 
Love-lane (now Tileston street), and through an alley (Rob- 
inson) which opens immediately opposite to the mcetinsf-house, 
and thus got quiet possession of the pulpit. The house was 



216 lilsrORY OF UOSTUiN. 

nearly filled with a promiscuous multitude, among whom wore 
some of the aggrieved. These began to raise a clamour, and 
sent for their friends at Mr. Lee's, who ran to the house in a 
tumultuous manner, forced their way into the galleries, and 
in a menacing style forbade the proceedings. Some were 
very unruly and indecent, almost beyond credibility. Si- 
lence was repeatedly ordered without clfcct. 

The council at length determined to go on, in the best 
manner they could. Mr. Cheever put the question to such 
members of the church as were present, who were about 40, 
• Whether they confirmed their call of the Rev. Mr. Thach- 
er V which being passed in the affirmative, Mr. T. then pub- 
lickly declared his acceptance of the invitation. Mr. C. 
thereupon proclaimed ' the Rev. Peter Thacher to be the 
pastor of the New North church, regularly introduced to the 
charge.' 

The disturbance being still continued, the disaflected party 
were called upon to say what they wished for. One of thera 
answered, ' that the matters in dispute might be heard and 
considered by a council.' The Rev. Messrs. W. and 'J', 
with the members of the church, severally assented to the 
proposal. Mr. Thacher, of iMilton, then made a prayer ; the 
newly inducted pastor preached a sermon, prayed aficrwards, 
and the assembly was dismissed with a blessing. 

On the next day, Mr. Webb sent to every one of the disaf- 
fected brethren of the church, in number nine or ten, to meet 
at his house, in order to adjust the business of convening a 
council. Four only appeared, and they refused to have any 
thing to do about it. The plan of forming another church 
began to be contemplated. 

The discontented members had made preparations for the 
erection of a new meeting-house, as appears from the follow- 
ing record : — ' Sundry of the north end of the town, being 
moved by the Providence of God for to build a house for the 
pnblick worship of God, met sundry times for the promoting 
of said work, and (Nov. 14, 1719) at a meeting of Akx'r 
Sears, Solo. Townsend, John U'aldo, Owen Harris, James 
Tileston. Natii. Jarvis, Thomas Lee, Jona. IMountforl, Wm. 
Arnold, Thaddens Macarty, James Pecker, Eben'r Bi-idge, 
Benj. Edwards, Peter Papillon, Thos. Dogget, Daniel Ballard, 
Rob't Oring, Edw. Pell, Sam'l Burnell, Eras. Parnell, Jas. 
Barnes, Jas. Halsy, Ephr'm ftloore, they voted that some of 
them should treat with Mr. Thomas Rob}^, of Cambridge, for 
a certain tract or piece of land, it being the land that the 
nieeling-house now standelh on." December '20th, a building 
committee was appointed, and the number of proprietors in- 
creased to forty before the work was completed. Mr. Ed- 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



21^ 



ward Pell drew the plan of the house,* which was dedicated 
on the 10th of May, i721. A churcht was gathered among 
the worshippers, on Wednesday, the 23d of May, 1722 ; and 
on the same day Mr. William VValdron was ordained the first 
pastor. 



* The same bouse is now occupied by the Second and Sixth, united as the Second Con- 
gregational Church. It was proposed by some to denominate it the Revenge Church, but 
instead thereof it obtained the name of North Brick, and afterwards of New Brick. The 
figure of a cock was, however, placed as a vane upon the steeple, in derision of Mr.Thacher 
whose christian name was Peter. 

t A. Sears, S. Townsend, J. Waldo, Moses Pierce, J. Tilestone, Josiah Baker, from the 
New North, together with Wm. Lee, Nath. Loring, Daniel Pecker, and Henry Wheeler 
and Wm. Waldron, were the original signers of the Covenant of the New Brick church. 

Covenant of the New Brick CAitrcA. 

We, whose games are hereunto sub. apprehending ourselves called of God into a chh. state 
of the gospel, do first of all confess ourselves to be unworthy to be so highly favoured of the 
Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his, wh. triumphs in weakn. and unworthin. and 
then with an humble reliance upon the aids of grace, promised to them that are conscious of 
their own inability to do any good thing and humbly wait on the L. for the addition of this 
thing : — We now thankfully lay hold on his cov. and would choose the things that please 
him. — We declare our serious belief of the christian religion, as contained in the S. S. and 
heartily resolve to conform our lives to the rules of that holy r. as long as we live in this 
world. — We give up ourselves to the L- Jehovah, who is the Father, Sod, and Holy Spirit, 
and avouch this day to be our G. our Leader, and receive him us our portion. — We give tip 
ourselves to the blessed Jesus, who is the L. Jehovah and adhere to him, as the L. of his peo- 
ple in the cov. of God, and rely on him as our prophet, priest, and king, to bring us to et. 
blessedness. — We ackn. ourselves under inevitable obligations to glorify G. in all the duties 
of a godly, sober life, and esp. in the duties of a chh. state in obedience to Christ, and the 
enjoym. of him in all the ord. of the gospel : and we therefore depend on his gracious assist- 
ance for the faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent on us. — We desire and intend, 
and (depending upon promised grace) we engage to walk together as a chh. of the L. J. C. 
in the f. and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed to us, conscien- 
tiously attending the worship of G. the sacraments of the N. T. the discipline of his kdm. 
and all his holy institutions, in communion with one another, lovingly watching over one an- 
other, and watchfully avoiding all sinful stumbling blocks and contentions, as becomes a p. 
professing godlin. called of the L. into such a holy cov. relation with G. and one another. — 
We do also at the same time present and offer our seed to the L. purposing with divine help 
to do our part in methods of a religious edu. training ym. up in the way of the L. that so 
they may be his. — We do all this, flying to the blood of the ev. cov. for the pdn. of our sins 
and past failings, praying that the glorious L. who is the sh. of his sheep, would prepare and 
strengthen us for every good work, working in us that which will be well pi. in his sight. I" 
whom be glory forever. Amen. 

See Rev. Mr. H'nre^s Discourses. 

28 



218 HISTORY OF BOSTOxN, 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Of newspapers a oonstant feast, 
And something there to every taste. 

Carritr^s Address. 

' The second newspaper which made its appearance in 
British America was the Boston Gazette, which was first [)ub- 
lished for Wm. Brooker, who succeeded Campbell as post- 
master. No. 1 was issued from the press on Monday, Dec. 
21, 1719, on a half sheet of printing foolscap, on a small-pica 
type, folio ; and it was continued on a half sheet of that size 
of paper for several years, excepting occasionally a whole 
sheet, and then one page was often left blank. It had a cut 
of a ship on the left, and one of a postman on the right of 
the title, and was "published by authority." Its imprint was, 
" Boston : printed by J. Franklin, and may be had at the 
Post Office, where advertisements are taken in." There 
were three Boston Gazette? in succession before the revo- 
lution. This was the first of them.' 

The people of Boston had sutfered severely at five differ- 
ent periods* from the small pox, prior to 1721. Nineteen 
years had intervened since its last appearance, when it was 
introduced a sixth time, by the Sal Tortugas fleet, in April of 
that year. More than half of the inhabitants were probably 
liable to it. It continued its ravages till the spring of 1.22, 
when the following account was taken. 



^Jumber of inhabitants above ' 


the MiU-creek 


- 


«018 


» 11 at 


North end 


- - ■ 


4549=10,567 


Of these, had the small pox S. 


of Mill-creek 


- 


3217 


,. „ at 


North end 


- - 


2596= 5,813 






Died— S. 


490 






N. 


281= 771 



It was at this time that the practice of inoculation was in- 
troduced. Dr. Ziibdiel Boylston ' is known to be the first 
physician in the British dominions that dared to do it.' He 
commenced with his own family, inoculating his son Thomas 
and two of his servants on the 26th of June : and he met 
with success, which at that time seemed wonderful. The 
clergy of the town supported and encouraged him, but the 
physicians joined the populace and opposed the practice with 

' In 1649, »66, '78—79, '89-90, 1702. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 219 

all possible vehemence. By Dr.Bojlston's account it appears 
that of 5759. who had had the disease in the natural way, 
844 died ; whereas of 247 cases attended by himself, and 39 
by Drs. Roby of Cambridge and Thompson of Charlcstown, 
only six terminated fatally. 

A third newspaper appeared on Monday, August 17, 1721. 
It was the Mew England Courant, printed and published by 
James Franklin, on a half sheet of crown size printing paper, 
on a small-pica type. Imprint, ' Boston : Printed by James 
Franklin, in Queen-street, where advertisements are taken in.' 
We suppose it to have been at the Franklin Head, Court- 
street. The Courant contained very little news and very few 
advertisements. More than half the paper was, with few ex- 
ceptions, filled weekly with essays, in which men in office, 
the clergy, and the prevailing religious opinions of the day 
were attacked. A society of gentlemen furnished these es- 
says : by moderate people this society was called a set of 
Freethinkers ; by others it was denominated the Hell Fire 
Club. Their essays were at times opposed in the Gazette 
and Nevvs-Letter, and these papers were in turn warmly at- 
tacked in the Courant, but rather by satire than argument. 
The Courant soon had warm advocates and zealous opposers. 
It roused the attention of tlie government and of some of the 
clergy. Dr. 1. Mather openly denounced the paper in an 
address to the publick, Jan. 29, 1722. James Franklin was 
shortly after imprisoned and forbidden to print, and the paper 
was for sometime issued in the name of his brother Benjamin, 
who was an apprentice with him, and was the unknown au- 
thor of some interesting pieces, that were inserted in the 
Courant. 

The Second Episcopal society is that which worships in 
Christ-Church, Salem-street. Its records begin thus : ' Laus 
Deo. Boston, N.E. the 2d September, 1722. At the request 
of several gentlemen, who had purchased a piece of ground 
at the north end of Boston, to build a church on, the Rev. 
Samuel Myles ordered his clerk to give notice to his congre- 
gation, that all those who were willing to contribute towards 
erecting another church, at the north end of Boston, were de- 
sired to meet at King's Chapel, the Wednesday following. 
Agreeably to which notification, several persons assembled 
and chose Mr. John Barne?, treasurer, Thomas Greaves, Esq. 
Messrs. Geo. Craddock, Anthony Blount, JohnGibbins, Thos. 
Selby, and Geo. Monk, a committee to receive subscriptions 
and build a church on said ground at the north end of Bos- 
ton.' The preamble to their subscription ran thus : ' Where- 
as the Church of England, at the south part of Boston, is not 
large enough to contain all the people that would come to it ; 
and several well disposed persons having already bought a 



220 HISTOKY OF BOSTON. 

piece of ground at the north pr^rt of said town to ^)uild a 
church on : We, the subscribers, being willing to forward so 
good a work, do accoi-dingly atfix to our names what each of 
us will cheerfully contribute.' 

The list of subscribers and benefactors contains the names 
of 214 persons, whose subscriptions amounted to £727. 18s st. 

On the loth day of April, 1723, the corner stone of Christ 
Church was laid by the Rev. Samuel Myles, minister of 
King's chapel, accompanied by the gentlemen of his congre- 
gation. The ceremony was concluded with these words, 
" May the gates of hell never prevail against it." The build- 
ing was completed during the succeeding summer and autumn, 
and first opened for pal)lick worship on the 29th day of Dec. 
in the same year, by the Rev. Timothy Cutler, D. D. the 
first rector of this church. 'J'he appropriate passage of scrip- 
ture from which the preacher addressed a numerous audi- 
ence on this interesting occasion was, " P'or mine house shall 
be called an house of prayer for all people " Isaiah Ivi. 7. 

At the opening of the church, the usual audience is stated 
to have been about 400 persons : the number of purchasers 
of pews was fifty-thi'ce.* 

The great tide, (which we alluded to, p. 109,) occurred on 
the 24th of Feb. 1723, and is thus described by Cotton 
Mather : '■ It rose two feet higher than ever had been known 
unto the country, and the city of Boston particularly suffered 
from it incredible mischiefs and losses. It rose two or three 
feet above the famous Long Wharf, and flowed over the other 
wharves and streets, to so surprising an height, that we could 
sail in boats from the Soul hern battery to the rise of ground 
in King-street, and from thence to the rise of ground ascend- 
ing toward the North meeting-house. It filled all the cellars, 
and filled the floors of the lower rooms in the houses and 
warehouses in town.' 

The New-England Courant ceased to be published in the 
beginning of the year 1727, and on Monday, the 20th of 
March in that year, the fourth newspaper, being the Xcw- 
England Weekly Journal., appeared. It was issued on a half 



• See Rev. Mr. Eaton's Historical Discourse. 

Purchasers of Pezvs in North or Christ Church, 1723. Wm. Aliraliam, Jos. Ainj', Anthony 

Blount, 13iss<>ll, Hallard, Bedgood, Thos. Dennet, Walter Brown, Geo. Barrow, 

Bouldfrson, Pan'l Crackforil, Wm. Clarke, Isaac Dickenson, Tinio. Daniel, Dr. Thomas 

Graves, Mary Gilibs, Increase Gatohell, Hooton,.Tobn Howard, Rob't Harris, Wm.Hislop, 

Rob't Harrison, Hender, North Ingham, Jenkins, Wm. Jones, James King, 

Lawlor, Moall, Gillam Phillips, Wm. Patten, Wm. Priggs, John Pclell, Wm. and Thos. 

Price, Geo. Pemherion, Henry Pigeon, Step. Perks, John Hachell, Nicb. Roach, Wm. Hide- 
out, Geo. Skinni r, Kdw. Stanbridge, John Sowirby, Arthur Savage, Adam Tuck, Kob'l 
Temple, Thos Tip|)en, Mary Tomlins, Henry Venner, Maj. Vassall, Kob't Ward, Abr.Winter 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 221 



sheet of foolscap size, folio. Imprint, ' Boston ; Printed by 
S. Kneeland, at the printing-house in Queen-street, where ap- 
vertisements are taken in.' Several literary gentlemen furnish- 
ed this paper with short essa3^s on miscellaneous subjects, 
more of a moral than of a political nature, and which, al- 
though well written did not occasion an excitement in the pub- 
lick mind like that produced by the writers for the Courant. 



CHAPTER XL. 

fair Religion's beauteous temples rise, 

The altai's of the heart's best sacrifice ; 
'Various their names, yet still alike their plan. 

IS'. H. Wnght. 

The Church in Federal-street (which was the thirteenth re- 
ligious society in Boston) was originally constituted by a num- 
ber of Presbyterian families from the North of Ireland, the 
descendants of emigrants from Scotland to Ireland in the 
reign of James I. They arrived in Boston in the year 1727, 
accompanied by the Rev. John Moorhead, by whose pious 
zeal and assiduity the society was established. They pur- 
chased a convenient lot at the corner of Bury-street and Long- 
lane (now called Berry and Federal-streets), and altered a 
barn, which stood on the ground, into a house of worship. 
This w'asinl729,and the congregation having increased, they af- 
terwardsadded two wings to the building. This rudeand lowly 
edifice was their place of worship until 1744, when a new and 
convenient church was erected. At that time the society was 
in a flourishing condition. There were twelve elders, corres- 
pondent to the number of districts or sections, into which the 
congregation was divided. Mr. Moorhead (whose settlement 
took place March SO, 1730) was most cordially attached to 
his flock, and they cherished for him a reciprocal aflection. 
With the zealous enforcement of doctrines which he sincerely 
espoused, he was unwearied in his endeavours to promote and 
maintain virtuous practice among his people. He was fa- 
voured with a strong constitution and his labours were unin- 
terrupted, until a few days before his decease, December 2, 
1773, in the seventieth year of his age. We are not inform- 
ed particularly of the history of the church in the interval 
between the death of Mr. Moorhead and the instalment of the 
Rev. David Annan as their pastor in 1783. Mr. A. was dis- 
missed at his own request by the Presbytery in 1786 ; and 



222 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

soon after that event, the society in Federal-street relinquish- 
ed the Presbyterian regimen and embraced the Congrega- 
tional order. 

' Dr. Douglass, in his Summary, speaking of Mr. Moor- 
head's congregation, has the following note. " 'I'hey erected 
a Presbyterian meeting-house in Boston, Mr. John Morchead 
their presbyter, as appears by an inscription, in two col- 
umns, and not elegant. 

THE FIRST COLUMN. 

This chh. ofpresbyterian strangers was congregated an. dom, 1729. 
Anno, doiii. 1 744, by a small bid generous 
Ilia manebit. Labilis c contra si sit erana 
Suprema. Dtsiderio J, M. hujus ecclesix. 

THE SECOND COLUMN. 

This building was begun anno. dom. 1 742, and finished 
J^nmber. Hvjus fundamen saxvm est. Domus 
Peribil. Gloria Christi lex nostra 
Christique pastor, and first preached in May Gth. 

L itin and English interlarded is new, excepting in bur- 
lesque ; likewise the disposition of these lines is singular, and 
to be rightly understood must be read by joining the several 
lines of each column." 

' This inscription was prohably in collateral columns. It 
is perplexing to read it in the form in which it is placed by 
Dr. DoUiilass, and it may be acceptable to have it presented 
in a more intelligible arrangement. In doing this we take the 
liberty to include the Latin portion in a parenthesis, and to 
correct a probable tj^pographical error in the third line of 
the inscription, sul)Stituling the word arena for erana. 

' This Church of Presbyterian strangers was congregated 
Anno Doui. 1729. This building was begun Anno Dom. 1742, 
and finished Anno Dom. 1744, by a small but generous num- 
ber. (Hujus fundamen saxum est. Domus ilia manebit. 
Labilis e contra si sit arena peribit. Gloria Christi lex nos- 
tra suprema. Dcsiderio .1. M. hujus ccclesia?, Christique 
pastor) and first preached in May 6th.'* 



• ' We should infer from Dr. D. i. 368, tb.it this inscription was placed in the church. 
There was none such in the house within the recollection of any of the society.' — Stc Memoir 
appended to the Rev. Dr. Clianning^'s sermon at ord. of Rev. Mr. Gannett. 

The record of huptlsnis for tiie two fir.^t years of this church gives us the following family 
names : Campbell, Knox, Miller, Sloan, Little, McCurdy, Ilog^p, Moor, Watts, Crosier, Ruth- 
erford. Morion, Smith, Tom, Kirkland, Wilson, Young-, Hodge, Shirlow, Hutchinson, Patter- 
son, Piilrirk, Walker, Lee, Maxwell, Chesnul, MaCluro, Harper, TatI, MnQuislion, SpK-r. 
Whipple, MaClean, Sli'«arl, Sinclair, Mitchell, Gwinn, Nicols, Di.ion, MacDugall, I'liair. 
Ross, Mickleravie, Awel, DIack, Quigg, Drynnt. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 223 

The Hollis-street Church claims the next rank in point of 
age. ' Upon a motion made by his Ex. Jonathan Belcher, 
Esq. nnto William Pain, Esq. that if he with a convenient 
number would associate themselves together and build a house 
for the publick worship of God, on a piece of land belonging 
to His Excellency, in Hollis-street, at the south part of Bos- 
ton, that he, viz. His Ex. would make them a present of said 
land for that use ; upon which motion, clivers persons met at 
the house of Mr. Hopcstill Foster, on the vlst of January, 
1730-1 [?] and after mature consideration and debate, the fol- 
lowing persons subscribed,' viz. Wm. Pain, Es^q. SamM Wells, 
Esq. John Clough, Caleb Eddy, John Bennett, Silence Allen, 
Thos. Walker, John Walker. Israel How, John Blake, Hen- 
ry Gibbon. Jos, Payson, James Day, Hopestill Fo>ter, Eben'r 
Clough,Thos.Trott, Thos.Milven, Thos. Clough, Sutton Byles, 
Alden Bass, Benja. Russell, Jos. Hambieton, Nath. Fairdeld, 
John Goldsmith, Isaac Loring, Wm. Cunningham. 

On the 2d of March, the governour conveyed the land, and 
they proceeded to erect a house 40 feet by 30. with a stpeple. 
It was finished and dedicated June 18, 1732. On the 14lh of 
November, ' the church was gathered, with fasting and pray- 
er, assisted by the ministers of the town. The person who 
more immediately formed them was the Rev. Dr. Joseph 
Sewall,' of the Old South, who drew the church covenant.* 



* The Hollis-street Church Covenant. 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprebentling ourselves called in the provi- 
dence of God, though unworthy, to unite in chh. fellowship, and seek the settlement of all 
the gospel institutions among us, do now enter into covenant with G. and one another, as 
follows : 1. We declare our belief of the S. S. as the word of G. and perfect rule of faith 
and obedience, resolving, by his grace, to conform to them ; and we adhere to the faith and 
order of the gospel as exhib. by these chhs. in their conf. of faith and platform of chh. dis- 
cipline, for the substance of them. 2. We give up ourselves in an everlasting covenant to 
the L. Jehovah, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as to our creator, redeemer, 
and sanctifier, to love, obey, and serve him forever. 3. We own and submit to the L. J. C. 
as the head of his body the chh. receiving and relying upon him as the great high priest, 
prophet, and king of our salvation. 4. We give ourselves each to other by the will of G. 
engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as fellow members in chh. society, to 
watch over one another in brotherly 1. and to walk together in a due subjection to, and at- 
tendance upon the orders and ordinances appointed by C. and enjoined his chhs. in the goS' 
pel. 5. We thankfully acknowledge, that our posterity are included in the gospel cove- 
nant, and accordingly promise to bring them up in the nurture and adm. of the L. and to 
own them in their covenant relation, according to the rule of God's word. 6. We promise 
to do our endeavour to procure the settlement ami continuance of all the offices and officers 
appointed by C. the greit shepherd for the edification of his chh. and to do our duty faith- 
fully for their maintenance and encouragement, and to carry it towards them as the gospel 
requires. 7. We promise to preserve communion with the chhs. of C. walking together in 
the faith and order of the gospel, by giving and rec. raut. counsel and assistance in all cases 
wherein it shall be needful. And now we repair to the blood of the great sacrifice for tire 



224 HISTOUY OF BOSTOK. 

The names ol the first members were John Clough, Jos. Pay- 
son, Henry (jibbon, Jas. Day, Jona. Neal, Hopestill Foster, 
EbenV Clough, iSath. Fairiield, John Cravaih, Alden Bass, 
Jolin Blake, Thomas Trott, Isaac Loring. November !20th, 
they ' voted to call the Rev. Mr.Maiher Byles to take the pas- 
toral care and charge of them,' and ' after this the congrega- 
tion were also called together and allowed the privilege of a 
written vote.' They unanimously concurred, and Mr. Byles, 
having ' advised with the united ministers of the city,' accep- 
ted the call, and was ordained on Wednesday, the 20th of 
December, preaching his own ordination sermon, Irom 2 Tim. 
ii. 17. 

' By reason that the Chapel was full, and no pews to be 
bought by new comers,' the first step towards the formation 
of '1 rinity Cluirch appears to have been taken on the 25th of 
April, 1728, when the piece of land on which the building 
stands, at the corner of Summer-street and Bishop-alley (now 
Hawley-strect) was conveyed by Wm. Speakman to Leonard 
Vassall, John Barnes, John Gibhens, apothecary, on condition 
that they shall and will with all convenient speed immedi- 
ately after the said conveyance endeavour to procure a 
building to be erected on the said land, for the worship of 
God : — which building or church they, any or either of them, 
shall take care to be contrived and disposed, both within and 
without, as they or any or either of them, in the absence of 
the other, shall find and judge most conducing to the decent 
and regular performance of divine service, according to the 
rubrick of the common prayer book, used by the church of 
England, as by law established.' A subscription was com- 
menced April 6, 1730, and continued Oct. 17, 1733, and the 
subscribers were to be ' rcpai(J, in proportion as mone^' arises 
from the sale of the pews, or any benefactors.' The corner- 
stone was laid. April 15, 1734, and bears the following inscrip- 
tion : Trinity Church. This corner stone. 7vas laid by the Rev. 
Mr. Commissary Price, the ISth ApriL 1734.' 

On the 15th of August, 1735, ' the Rev. Mr. Thomas Har- 
vvard read pra3'ers according to the rubrick of the church of 
luigland, and the Rev. Roger Price, his lordship's [the 
liishop of London's] commissary preached the first sermon in 
Trinity church, from Ileb. x. 23 — which sermon was preach- 
ed before a large number of people. His Excellency Jonathan 
Belcher, Escj. being present.' Services were somewhat sta- 



pardon of all our sins, depending' entirely upon our L.J. C. for acceptance willi U. and for 
Uls good spirit to enable us to keep his holy covenant. And we humbly asli the pray- 
ers of God's people, tliat we and our oflsprinj may obtain all the blessings of this 
covenant, for Uie sake of Jesus Christ, to whom with God the Father, ond God the Holy 
Ghost, be glory in the churches forever. Ameu. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 225 

tedly performed in this church, by the [episcopal] ministers 
of the town, until Mr. Addington Davenport, who was assis- 
tant to Mr. Price at the ciiapel, (and a very popular man 
among the dissenters,) was invited to become their minister. 
The first overtures were made to him, Dec. 5, 1737, and he 
expressed his assent on condition ' the Bishop of London 
should grant him leave.' A correspondence was instituted to 
effect this object, which was accomplished ; and on ' May 8, 
1740, Mr. Davenport came into the church, with the commit- 
tee, and accepted the invitation : thereupon by the proprie- 
tors was presented and inducted into the church, invested in 
all the benefits and perquisites of the same, and accordingly 
put into possession in the manner of a donative church.'* 

There had been several ineffectual efforts towards the es- 
tablishment of a regular market in Boston, previous to the 
period to which our history has advanced. At length a vote 
was obtained March 11, !7.j4, ' to choose a committee to 
think of and assign three suitable places for erecting markets, 
and the cost and charge thereof:' 517 being the number in 
favour of the proposal, and 399 against it. April 24th, in 
town-meeting, ' it is voted and ordered, that Three places be, 
and hereby are at present assigned for the aforesaid Market. 
And that they may be made fit and commodious for the re- 
ception of such as from time to time may bring their Com- 
modities there for Sale, that the Sum of seven hundred pounds 
be allowed and paid out of the Town-Treasury, to Ihomas 
Fitch, Edward Hutchinson, Thomas Palmer, Jacob Wendell, 
Esqrs. Messieurs Nathanael Cunningham, James Watson, 
Francis Willoughby, and John Steel, to enable them to Effect 
the Buildings, and other necessarys at the Three several pla- 
ces assigned for that use. And that a piece of Land, — front- 
ing on the main street leading to Roxbury, known by the 
Name of Orange-Street, over against the House and Land of 
Thomas Downe, there measuring seventy feet, is pitch'd upon 
for one of the Places. 'I hat the Town's Ground, or open 
space on the Town Dock or Wharf commonly call'd Dock- 
Square, be another Place. And that the Open Space before 
and about the Old North Meeting-house, is fixed upon and de- 
termined for the third Place, where the Market is to be kept 
and carried on.' 



* The first officers of Trinity church were, Wm. Speakman, Joseph Dowse, Wardens, — 
Lawrence Lutwich Charles Apthorp, Wm. Coffin, James Griffin, John Marrett, Henry 
Laugliton, Peter Kenwood, John Arbuthnot, Benjamin Faneuil, Rufus Green, Philip Duraa- 
resq, Thomas Aston, John Hamacit, Vesti-y-men, — John Crosby, clerk-., — John Hooker, sexton, 
chosen April 24, 1739. ' The holy sacrament of the Lord's supper was first administered 
June 17th, 1739, by Mr. Davenport ; the Rev. Samuel Seabury, of New-London, assisted.' 

29 



226 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Clerks of the market were appointed to attend at each of 
those places, and with other rules for regulating the markets, 
it was 

' Ordered, that every Day in the Week, except the Lord's 
Day, or other Days set apart by this Government for Relig- 
ious Service, be a Market D^y, and that a Bell be daily rung 
at the Opening of the Market, which shall be at the Rising of 
the Sun, through the whole Year, from which Hour till the 
Hour of One. Post Meridiem, shall forever hereafter be deem- 
ed and held Market Hours.' 

The Court of general sessions of the peace approved the 
scheme adopted by the town, and publick notice was given 
by Samuel Gerrish, town clerk, ' that the said markets will 
be opened on Tuesday the fourth day of June next.' The 
News-Letter of June 6th, gives the following account and re- 
marks. 'On Tuesday morning last, being the 4th of June, at Sun- 
rising, the Bell rang the first time for opening the publick Mar- 
kets the first time in this Town, at the three several places as- 
signed, and now conveniently prepared therefor, agreeable to an 
Order or By-Law of the Town, legally approved, ratified, and 
confirmed by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for 
the County of Suffolk : which Order has been published in 
this and the other publick News Papers. The Concourse of 
People (Sellers, Buyers, and Spectators) at the Market Places 
was very considerable; abundance of Provisions were brought 
thither for Sale. Those that exceeded in Goodness and 
Cheapness, went oft' quick, but those that were poor or dear, 
more slowly. It's tho't the said Markets carried on con- 
formable to the Restrictions, Limitations, and Regulations of 
the said Order, will by Experience be found very beneficial, 
as to this great Town in general, and to our Country Friends in 
particular, in many Respects, but more especially in having 
certain fixed Places of Resort both for selling and buying 
the Necessaries of Life from Day to Day : And the cheaper 
and better the Commodities brought for Sale are, certainly 
the more vendable they will be ; which no doubt will induce 
our Country Neighbours to endeavour to bring as good to the 
Markets as they can : — Their Interest, as well as the Towii's, 
has been jointly consulted and aimed at herein.' 

Many people were dissatisfied with this experiment, and in 
the course of three years the clerks were discontinued, the 
South end market converted into shops, the North taken 
down to be used in constructing a work house, and the one at 
the Town-dock was demolished by a mob. 

We proceed to notice the formation of the Ninth Congrega- 
tional society or the church in Lynde-street, called the West 
church, which was ' gathered,' to use the technical language 
of our fathers, 'on the third of January, 1736. The covenant 



HISTORY OF IJ08T0X. 527 

was subscribed by seventeen persons, after solemn prayer 
and preaching, in presence of Tiionias Prince, pastor of the 
Old South, and Thomas Foxcroft, pastor of the First church. 
On the same day Mr. Wm. Hooper, who was employed as a 
private tutor in a family near town, was unanimously chosen 
their pastor. Mr. fl. was a native of Scotland, a man of 
more than ordin u'y powers of mind, of a noble aspect, an 
elocjuent, popular preacher : it was on his account chiefly, as 
there is reason to think, that this church was formed. He 
was ordained on the 18th of May, 1737. The persons who 
formed the chur -h were Hugh Hall, Wm. Stoddard, from the 
Old South ; Juiues Gooch, jr. John Darroll, John Daniells, 
from the First church ; Jos. Ricks, John Pierce, Samuel 
Spragup, Jos. Badger, from Brattle-street ; Wm. Williams, 
from first church in Cambridge ; Eph. Copeland, Abijali 
Adams, John Scot, from the New North ; Wm. More, from 
the Old North ; and Jas. Watson, Robert Watt, John MofFatt, 
not before church members. All the Congregational church- 
es in town, toj^ether with Mr. Le Mercier^s, were invited to 
assist in the ordination. All the parts in the solemnities were 
assigned by the church, except the right hand of fellowship, 
which the council claimed a right to assign.* 



* See Rev. Dr. Lowell's Historical Disc. Dec. 31, 1820. 

Covetiant of the If est Church. 

1. We declare our belief of the S. S. as the word of God, and perfect rule of faith and 
obedience, resolving^ by his grace to conform to them. And we adhere to the faith and or- 
der of the Gospels, as exhibited by these churches in their confession of faith and platform 
of church discipline for the substance of them. 2. We g^ive up ourselves in an everlasting cov- 
enant to the Lord Jehovah who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as to our Creator, 
Redeemer and Sanctifier, to love, obey and serve him forever. 3. We own and submit to 
the L. J. C. Eis the head of his body the church, receiving and relying upon him as the great 
High Priest, Prophet and King of our Salvation. 4. We give ourselves each to other by 
the will of God, engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as fellow members in 
chh. society, to watch over one another in brotherly love, and to walk together in a due sub- 
jection to and attendance upon the orders and ordinances appointed by Christ, and enjoyn- 
ed his churches in the Gospel. 5. We thankfully acknowledge that our posterity are inclu- 
ded in the gospel covenant, and accordingly promise to bring them up in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord, and to own them in their covenant relation according to the rules 
of God's word. 6. We promise to do our endeavour to procure the settlement and con- 
tinuance of all the officers appointed by Christ the great Shepherd for the edification of his 
church, and to do our duty faithfully for their maintenance and encouragement, and to car- 
ry it towards them as the Gospel requires. 7. We promise to preserve communion with 
the churches of Christ walking together in the faith and order of the Gospel, by giving and 

receiving mutual counsel and assistance in all cases where it shall be needful. And now 

we repair to the Blood of the great Sacrifice for the pardon of all our sins, depending en- 
tirely upon our L. J. C. for acceptance with God, and for his good Spirit, to enable us to 
keep his holy covenant. And we humbly ask the prayers of God's people, that we and our 
offspring may obtain all the blessings of this covenant, for the sake of J. O. to whom with 
God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be glory in the churches forever. Amen 



228 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

In 1738 the district of Romney Marsh was separated from 
Boston, and incorporated into a town by the name of Chelsea. 
There was great opposition to this step on the part of the old 
town, and tlie principal objection was raised on the ground 
that it would lessen the ability of the town to bear the burden 
of taxes, some of the wealth^' inhabitants residing or own- 
ing property at the Marsh, which would thus be placed be- 
yond the reach of the assessors. An attempt had been made 
two years before, by the country towns in the county of Suf- 
folk, to rid themselves of the expense of a connection with 
Boston, by having the town erected into a county by itself, 
but the opposition from Boston was at that time successful. 

The religious world had now experienced a state of quiet 
for more than fifty 3'ears. Primitive zeal in practice and 
strictness in principle had given place to feelings, which sa- 
voured more of indifference and unconcern. Individuals were 
sometimes emboldened to lift their voices to warn or to re- 
prove, but it was only to be heard and be disregarded. The 
arrival of the celebrated George Whitcfield roused the whole 
continent from this sort of lethargy. Wherever he appeared, 
crowds thronged to hear his exhortations. Multitudes atten- 
ded him in his journeys from place to place, and his progress 
was regularly reported in the papers of the day. VVe find 
his entrance and stay in Boston thus related : — 

'On Thursday evening (Sept. 18, 1740) the Rev. Mr. 
Whitefield arrived here by land fi'om Rhode Island, being 
met on the road and conducted to town by several gentle- 
men. The next day in the forenoon he attended praycis in 
the King's Chapel, and in the afternoon he preached to a 
vast congregation in the Rev. Dr. Colman's meeting-house ; 
Saturday, in the forenoon, at the [Old] South church, to a 
crowded audience ; and in the afternoon to about 3000 peo- 
ple on the Common. Lord's-day, A. M. he went to hear Dr. 
Colman, and in the afternoon, having preached to a great 
number of people at the Old Brick church, the house not be- 
ing large enough to hold those that crowded to hear him, he 
went and preached in the field to at least 8000 persons. On 
Monday he preached in the morning at Mr. Webb's, and was 
to have served in the afternoon at IVlr. Checkley's, but for an 
accident which happened just before the lime when the ser- 
vice was to begin. Some person broke a )iiece of board, in 
one of the galleries, to make a seat of it. The noise alarmed 
some that heard it, and they imprudently cried out that the 
galleries were giving way. The house being prodigiously 
crowded, the whole congregation was put into the utmost con- 
fusion and disorder ; so that, being in the greatest concern 
how to save ih( ir lives, some jumjied oil" the gallery into the 
seals below, others out of the windows ; and those below 



HISTOBY OF BOSTON. 22& 

pressing to get out of the porch doors in haste, several were 
thrown down one over another, and trod upon by those who 
were crowding out;» Many were exceedingly bruised, and 
others had their bones broken : five persons died within two 
days. Mr. Whitcfield's presence of mind did not forsake 
him ; he led the anxious throng immediately to the Common, 
and preached to them from the words, Go ye out into the 
highways and hedges and compel them to come in.' Mr. 
Whitefield continued this incessant labour here for a week, 
then travelled eastward a few days, returned and spent the 
second week of October in and about Boston. He preached 
his farewell sertnon, of a sabbath evening, on the Common, 
' where it is supposed upwards of 23, 00'' people attended.' It 
is almost needless to observe that opinions were various con- 
cerning the benefit achieved by this visit. Whether evening 
lectures had been in iiractice before, w'e know not, but we find 
it advertised, as if it were something new-, that one is now 
(Oct. 21.) established, to be held weekly, at Dr. Colman's 
church. 

Considering that the Tenth Congregational, the Second 
Baptist, and the Eleventh Congreg.nional churches, took 
their rise from circumstances, which ' possibly had some con- 
nexion with the religious excitements of this period,' we shall 
bring an account of those churches into this chapter. The 
Tenth Congregational was that which is known as Samuel 
Mather's. This gentleman w^as a son of the venerated Cotton 
Mathcr,and, after his father's death, was chosen, Jan. 28, 1732, 
to supply his place as colleague with the Rev. Joshua Gee, 
at the Old North. ' He was recommended to them not only by 
their respect for the ancient family, but by his own character 
for diligence, zeal, and learning, of which he certainly pos- 
sessed an uncommon share. His union with the people of 
the Old North continued but nine years, when, on account of 
some dissatisfaction with his preaching, which was thought 
by some not to be sufficiently explicit upon certain points of 
doctrine, together with some other grounds of uneasiness, a 
division took place in the church.' Mr. Mather first asked a 
dismission in Feb. 1741, which the church declined to grant, 
and the matter was submitted to a council, in compliance with 
whose advice they voted, Oct. 23, to dismiss him from his 
pastoral relation and allow him a year's salary. On the 21st 
of Dec. following, a number of the ' brethren gave the church 
to understand, that they conscientiously thought themselves 
called to promote the building of a new meeting-house,' and 
were accordingly dismissed. Their number was thirty. On 
the 29th of the 5th month, 1742, sixty-three women were dis- 
missed to unite with them, and it is probable that their meet- 
ing-house was ready to be occupied about that time. It was 



230 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

located at the corner of North Bennet and Hanover streets. 
Mr. M. received a diploma of doctor of divinity from Har- 
vard College in 1773. He continued in " the pastoral office 
until his death, uhich took place June 27, 1785, at the advanc- 
ed age of seventy-nine ye^irs. ' He left positive orders that 
his interment should be private and without any ceremony — 
also signified his desire that he might not have any funeral 
encomiums from any quarter.' Most of the persons who were 
at that time worshipfiing with him, returned by his advice to 
the church from wiiich they came out, and the house was 
soon afier purchased and enlarged for the accommodation of 
a society of another denoaiination. It was a wooden building. 

' What is called the Second Baptist church in Bo^ton com- 
menced in the following manner. A number of brethren, 
who had for some time enjoyed communion in the First Bap- 
tist church in this town, became dissatisfied with the doctrinal 
sentiments of thrir then pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Condy. They 
charged him with having departed from the sentiments on 
■which the church originally covenanted.' After stating their 
views to him in writing, under date of Sept. 29, 1742, and not 
obtaining any satisfactory answer, they withdrew from his 
ministry, and on the 27th of July, 1743, three of their num- 
ber (James BoA-tid. John Procter, and Ephraira Bosworth.) 
covenanted logeiher as a church, ' purposing, by the Lord's 
grace enHl.iing, to hold fast those great though now much ex- 
ploded do( irines, of election, justification by faith alone, par- 
ticular redemption, final perseverance, and original sin 
or the total depravity and absolute enmitj' of all mankind, by 
their fall in Adam, to God and the gospel of his Son, until 
irresistible grace do change the hearts of those who are the 
elect of God.' On the same day, John Dabney and Thomas 
Bourh'^r. then Ephrdm Bownd, and then Thomas Lewis, 
acknowledginc: the aforenamed persons ' to be the First Bap- 
tist church in Boston,' were admitted to be fellow members. 
The meeting was then adjourned to the evening, when they 
made choice of Mi-. Eph. Bownd to take the pastoral charge 
of them. His ordination took place on Wednesday, Sept. 
7th, at Warwick, R. I. 

This society held their Lord's-day meetings for publick 
worship, at the dwelling-house of Mr. James Bownd, in 
Sheaf-street, near Copp's hill, from Oct. 3, 1742, until June 
3, 1745, when they removed to Mr. Procter's school-house, 
and there met until Lord's-day, March 15, 1746, when the 
first sermon was preached in their new meeting-house, which 
stood on the spot now occu}iied by the church. It was a 
wooden building of 45 by 33 ft. finished in a plain, but decent 
style. Near the head of the broad aisle was prepared a font 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 231 



or cistern, in which their candidates were immersed : it con- 
tinued in use for more than forty years.* 

A narrative of the founding and settHng of the new-gather- 
ed [Eleventh] Congregational church in Boston, was publish- 
ed by the Rev. Andrew Crosvvell, their pastor. It states, 
that on the 17th of February, 1748, a number of persons, al- 
most all of whom were members of other churches, thinking 
it for the glory of God to be a distinct, but not a separate 
church, (as was expressed in several letters sent for dismis- 
sions,) did, after solemn fasting and prayer, embody into a 
church state. The articles and covenant with which they 
were embodied are given at large in Mr. Croswell's narrative. 
The covenant is almost word for word like that of the New 
Brick church. In their articles they require ' it as agreeable 
to Scripture, that those who are admitted members of our 
church should give an account of a work of the law and of 
the gospel upon their souls,' first to the minister and after- 
ward to the church. They require the same from any can- 
didate for the ministry, ' to prevent, (say they,) as much as 



* After an introduction, appealing to the S. S. primarily, and to the London Baptist print- 
ed Confession, subordinately, as the rule and standard of their faith and practice and church 
discipline, we find the 

Covenant of the Second Baptist Church. 

We whose names are hereafter written, vizt. some that it hath pleased God through the 
riches of his grace to call out of darkn. into his marv. light, and to reveal his son in us, 
whereby we know that the L. is our God, and having shown unto us our duty and priv. as 
believers, (vizt. not only to separate from the world both as to doctrine and practice and 
worship, but also to congregate and embody ourselves into chh. state,)and being thro' grace 
well satisfied concerning our mutual nearness to the Lord, and standing together in the per- 
son of Christ, and being brought in some blessed measure into oneness of sp. being baptized 
by one s. into one body, and being agreed in the great and sublime truths of the gospel, wc 
do therefore in the name and fear of the L. give up ourselves unto the L. and unto one 
another by the will of G. to walk together as a chh. of C. in the fp. of the gospel, and in the 
ebservance and practice of the laws and ordinances, wh. C.bath appointed his N. T. churches 
to be in the pract. of, so far as he hath or shall enlighten us into the kn. of our duty and 
priv. and as the L. shall please to help us. We will freq. assemble ourselves together, as a 
chh. of 0. to attend upon our L. in the service of his house, esp. every first day of the week ; 
and as we shall be enabled by his grace and conducted by his sp. we will stand up together 
for the truth and cause of C. against all opp. raised against it by the world and carnal pro- 
fessors ; and by the same help we will watch over one another in the L. And as we shall 
be under the conduct of .lehovah the Spirit, we will keep the doors of God's house open 
always to believers in C. who are sound in faith about the salv. of God's elect as it is by the 
Father's grace thro' the Son's redemption ; and as our G. will help us, we will keep them 
always shut ag. unbelievers and profligate persons. And now as a test, of our cordial belief 
of those former doctrines of f. contained in the printed declaration afsd. and of our holy reso- 
lution in the strength of grace to stand and walk together in the fp. of the gospel, we call 
uot only heaven and earth to witness but we also subscribe the same with our hands. 

See Rev. Dr. Baldvtin''^ Dedication Sermon, 1811. and New Year's Disc. 1324. 



232 UIS'J ORY OF BOSTO.V. 

in us lies, any unconverted minister being ever concerned 
with tiiis church.' They maintain, that, in case of incorrigi- 
ble fault in a minister, ' this church hath full power to take 
from him that power over them which they gave to him, 
though, as we profess ourselves to be Congrcgalionalisis, we 
think that, in such and other diilicult cases, it would become 
us as Christians to seek the advice and assistance of other 
churches of Christ :' and they acknowlecJgc the \Vestnunstcr 
Confession ' to be an excetleni system, though no human com- 
posures are perfect and of divine authority.' 

Mr. Croswell was invited by this church to become their 
pastor. The church in Groton (Conn.) over which he had 
been settled, having voted him ' liberty to act as he thought 
duty, he gave an answer in the afiirmative in publick, declar- 
ing to all present, that the design of himself and his friends 
was only to be a distinct church, and that they professed no 
separation from Calvinistical ministers.'- 

About the latter end of August, the church sent letters to a 
variety of churches to come and assist in the instalment, 
which was to be, Oct. 5, 1748. The [Old] South church in 
Boston utterly refused to be concerned in the affair, judging 
it had ' an unhappy tendency to crumble the other Congrega- 
tional churches in town into small societies.' 'J'he council 
considered the objections, but thought them of insufficient 
weight to prevent their proceeding * to the instalment, which 
was carried on in a very reverent and godly manner.' 

The narrative goes on to say, ' God knew the place where 
we assembled was too strait and the difficulties that would 
attend our building an house, and therefore he himself found 
an house for us.' It was the meeting-house of the French 
Protestant church,* which, as we have before related, was 
about this time dissolved. They disposed of their right in 
the house in School-slreet to Thomas Fillebrown, James Dav- 
enport, Wm. Hickliiig, N. H. Proctor, and Thos. Handaside 
Peck, as trustees of Mr. Croswell's church. We have sought 
in vain for the records of this society, and are therefore una- 
ble to say how long it maintained a visible standing among 
the churches of Boston. Mr. Croswell became blind in the 
latter part of his life, but. notwithstanding that infirmity, con- 
tinued his professional labours; and could always be depend- 
ed upon, in cases of emergency, to favour his brethren with 
an extempore sermon ; he died ' April 12, 1785, in the 77th 
year of his age.' The meeting-house soon after passed into 
the hands of another people. 

* II lius nut bi-oii usual lo include this in our onuincratiun ol' llie Couifre^ational cliurch- 
cf : though it appears to have been considered a sister-church in cases of ordiuation. 



UISTORY OF BOSTON. 233 



CHAPTER XLI. 

Oh ! is there not some patriot, in whose power 

That best, that godlike luxury is placed, 

Of blessing thousands, thousands yet unborn, 

Through late posterity ? Thomson. 

After the destruction of the old market-houses, the opin- 
ion of the inhabitants continued to be as various as before, 
some very earnestly desiring, and others as violently opposing 
the re establishment of them. In the year 1740, Peter 
Faneuil, Esq. made an offer to build, at his own expense, a 
complete structure or edifice on the town's land in Dock- 
square, to be improved for a Market, for the sole use, benefit, 
and advantage of the town, provided that the town would 
pass a vote authorizing it, and lay the same under such prop- 
er regulations as should be thought necessary, and constantly 
support it for the said use. On the 14th of July, a town meet- 
ing was held, when a petition of Thomas Palmer and others 
lo the number of 340 was read, praying that the town would 
accede to the proposal. A vote of thanks to Mr F. was im- 
mediately passed without opposition : but when the question 
came, whether the town would authorize a market to be built, 
it was carried by a very small majority : 367 yeas to 360 
nays. The work was accordingly commenced on the 8th of 
the following September, and it was finished Sept. 10, 1742, 
on which day ' Mr. Sam'l Ruggles, who was employed in 
building the market-house, waited on the selectmen by order 
of P. Faneuil, Esq. and delivered them the key of said house.'^ 
* On the 1 3th, a meeting of the town was held in the Hall, and a 
motion was made, by the Hon. John Jeffries, Esq. that the 
thanks of the town be given to Peter Faneuil, Esq. for his no- 
ble and generous benefaction of the Market-house to the 
town, which, as an instance of gratitude in the town to its 
amiable benefactor, we have thought proper to transcribe. 

' In Town Meeting, Boston, Sept. 13th, 1742. 

' Whereas information was given to this town, at their meet- 
ing, in July, 1740, That Peter Faneuil, Esq. had been gen- 
erously pleased to offer, at his own proper cost and charges, 
to erect and build a noble and complete structure, or edifice, 
to be improved for a Market, for the sole use, benefit, and ad- 
vantage of the town ; provided the town of Boston would 
pass a vote for that purpose, and lay the same under such 
proper regulations as shall be thought necessary,and constantly 
30 



234 lllSTOllY OF BOSTON. 

support it for tlie said use. And whereas at the said meeting it 
was determined to acceptof the offer or proposal aforesaid; and 
also voted that the selectmen should be desired to wait upon 
Peter Faneuil, Esq. and to present the thanks of this town 
to him, and also to acquaint him,that the town have, by their 
vote, come to a resolution to accept of his generous offer of 
erecting a Market House on Dock Square, according to his pro- 
posal. And whereas Peter Fanueil, Esq. has, in pursuance 
thereof, at a very great expense, erected a noble structure, far 
exceeding his first proposal, inasmuch as it contains not only a 
large and sufficient accommodation for a Market place, but has 
also superadded, a spacious and most beautiful Town Hall, 
over it, and several other convenient rooms, which may prove 
very beneficial to the town, for offices, or otherwise. And the 
said building being now finished, has delivered possession there- 
of to the selectmen, for the use of the town ; it is therefore 
' voted. That the town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive 
and accept this most generous and noble benefaction, for the 
use and intentions it is designed for, and do appoint the Hon. 
Thomas Gushing, Esq. the moderator of this meeting, the 
Hon. Adam Winthrop, Edward Hutchinson. Ezekiel Lewis, 
and Samuel Waldo, Esqrs. Thomas Hutchinson, Esq. the 
Selectmen and the Representatives of the town of Boston, 
the Hon. Jacob Wendell, Esq. James Bowdoin, Esq. Andrew 
Oliver, Esq. Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham, Peter Chardon, 
Esq. and Mr. Charles Apthorp, to wait upon Peter Faneuil, 
Esq. and in the name of the town, to render him their most 
hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift, with their prayers, that 
this, and other expressions of his bounty and charity may 
be abundantly recompensed with the divine blessing.' 

A number of laws were passed for the regulation of the 
Market. A Clerk was to be annually appointed, and Mr. 
Faneuil had liberty to nominate one to serve until the annual 
meeting, in March. 

Another vote unanimously obtained, That in testimony of 
the town's gratitude to Peter Faneuil, Esq. and to perpetuate 
his memory, that the Hall over the Market place, be named 
Faneuil Hall, and at all times hereafter, be called and known 
by that name. And as a further testimony of respect, it was 
voted, that Mr. Fancuil's picture be drawn at full length, at 
the expense of the town, and placed in the Hall ; and the 
Selectmen were charged with the commission, which was ac- 
cordingly executed. 

The l)uilding was of brick, two stories in height, and meas- 
ured 100 ft. by 40. It was esteemed one of the best pieces 
of workmanship and an ornament to the town. The hall 
would contain 1000 persons, there were convenient apartments 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 235 

for the offices of the town, besides a rooQi for a naval office, 
and a notary publick. 

Mr. Faneuil did not long survive to enjoy these honours or 
the gratitude of his townsmen. The town lost its friend by a 
sudden and premature death, March 3,1743 ; and at the next 
meeting of the inhabitants in the hall, March 1 4th, a funeral 
oration was delivered by Mr. John Lovell, master of the 
South grammar school. As the first specimen of eloquence 
uttered in the future Cradle of Liberty, this oration is a prec- 
ious relick : to preserve it is, moreover, a tribute due to the 
memory of Faneuil, and we therefore subjoin it to this account.* 

FUNERAL ORATION ON PETER FANEUIL, ESQ. 

' I Stand in this place, my fellow townsmen, and my worthy 
patrons, at the call of those to whom you have committed the 
direction of your publick affairs, to condole with you for the 
loss of your late generous benefactor, the Founder of this 
house. Certain f am, there are numbers in this great assem- 
bly, who should upon this occasion have done more justice to 
his memory, and have better discharg'd the office that is en- 
joined me. But the commands of those (for such I must al- 
ways esteem their desires) who have devolved this charge 
upon me, and the veneration 1 have for the virtues of the de- 
ceased, oblige me to bear what little part 1 can, in a grateful 
acknowledgment of the just reward due to the memory of a 
man, whose name, I am sure, will never be forgotten among us. 

' How soon, alas ! is our joy for having found such a bene- 
factor, chanfr'd into mourninsr for the loss of him ! But a few 
months are pass'd, since we weve. framing votes, and consult- 
ing the best measures to express our gratitude for his unexam- 
pled favours ; and the first annual meeting within these walls 
that were rais'd by his bounty, finds us assembled in the 
deepest sorrow for his decease. 

' Instances of mortality are never more affecting than in 
those whose lives have been publick blessings. Surely then, 
every breast must feel a more than common distress, for the 
loss of one, whose largeness of heart equalled, great as it was, 
his power to do good. Honest industry must mourn, for 
which the exercise of his bounty found an almost constant 
employment : And they that know how to pity the calami- 
ties of human nature themselves, will mourn for him that al- 
ways reliev'd them. 



* March 14, 1744, the town voted to purchase the Faneuil arms, elegantly carved and 
gilt, by Moses Deshon, to be fixed in the hall. The family of Faneuil was among the 
French Huguenots that fled from France iu 1685. The house occupied by Lieut. Gov. 
Phillips was built by Andrew F. and the summer-house attached to it bears a grasshopper 
vane, similar to that on Faneuil Hall After A's death Peter lived and died there. 



236 HISTORY OF BOSTON, 

' So soon as he arriv'd to the possession of his large and 
plentiful estate, instead of fruitlessly hoarding up his treas- 
ures, though no man manag'd his affairs with greater prudence 
and industry ; instead of wasting them in luxury, though 
plenty always crown'd his board ; instead of neglecting the 
wants of his fellow creatures, an unhappy circumstance too 
often attending the possession of riches, he made it manifest 
that he understood the true improvement of wealth, and was 
determin'd to pursue it. It was to him the highest enjoyment 
of riches, to relieve the wants of the needy, from which he 
was himself exempted, to see mankind rejoicing in the fruits 
of his bounty, and to feel that divine satisfaction, which re- 
sults from communicating happiness to others. His acts of 
charity were so secret and unbounded, that none but they 
who were the objects of it, can compute the sums which he 
annually distributed among them. His alms flow'd like a 
fruitful river, that diffuses its streams through a whole country. 
He fed the hungry, and he cloth'd the naked, he comforted the 
fatherless, and the widows in their affliction, and his bounties 
visited the prisoner. So that Almighty God in giving riches 
to this man, seems to have scattered blessings all abroad 
among the people. 

' But these private charities were not the only effects of his 
publick spirit, which, not contented with distributing his bene- 
factions to private families, extended them to the whole com- 
munity. Let this stately edifice which bears his name wit- 
ness for him, what sums he expended in publick munificence. 
This building, erected by him at an immense charge, for the 
convenience and ornament of the town, is incomparably the 
greatest benefaction ever yet knowMi to our western shore. 
Yet this effect of his bounty, however great, is but the first 
fruits of his generosity, a pledge of what his heart, always 
devising liberal things, would have done for us, had his life been 
spar'd. It is an unspeakable loss to the town, that he was 
taken away in the midst of his days, and in so sudden a man- 
ner, as to prevent his making provision for what his generous 
heart might design. For I am well assur'd, from those who 
were acquainted with his purposes, that he had many more 
blessings in store for us, had heaven prolong'd his days. 

' But he is gone ! The town's benefactor, the comforter of 
the distrcss'd, and the poor man's friend. 

' He is gone ! And all his {)lans of future bounties with 
him, they are buried in the grave together. He shall be rai- 
sed to life again : And his intended charities, though they are 
lost to us, will not be lost to him. Designs of goodness and 
mercy, prevented as these were, will meet with the reward 
of actions. 

' He IS jonc ! — And must such men die ! Must the protect- 
ors and fathers of the distrcss'd be taken away, whfJe their 



HISTORY OF BOSTO?f. 237 

oppressors are continued, and increase in power ! — Great 
God ! How unsearchable are thy ways !~We confess our 
sins, but just and righteous art thou ! 

' To express your gratitude to your generous benefactor, 
you have passed the most honourable resolves, and to pre- 
serve his memory, you have call'd this house by his name. 
But in vain, alas ! would you perpetuate his memory by such 
frail materials. These walls, the present monuments of his 
fame, shall moulder into dust : These foundations, however 
deeply laid, shall be forgotten. But his deeds, his charities, 
shall survive the ruin of Nature. And to have reliev'd the 
miseries of the distress'd, to have still'd the cries of orphans, 
and to have dry'd the widow's tears, are acts that shall em- 
balm his memory for many generations on earth, and shall 
follow him beyond the limits of mortality, into those blissful 
regions where endless charity dwells. 

' What now remains, but my ardent wishes (in which I 
know you will all concur with me) that this Hall may be ev- 
er sacred to the interests of Truth, of Justice, of Loyalty, of 
Honour, of Liberty. May no private views nor party broils 
€ver enter within these walls ; but may the same publick spir- 
it that glow'd in the breast of the generous Founder, influence 
all your debates, that society may reap the benefit of them. 

' May Liberty always spread its joyful wings over this 
place : Liberty that opens men's hearts to beneficence, and 
gives the relish to those who enjoy the effects of it. And 
may Loyalty to a king, under whom we enjoy this liberty, 
ever remain our character. A character always justly due 
to this land, and of which our enemies have in vain attempt- 
ed to rob us. 

' May those who are the inheritors of the large estate of 
our deceased benefactor, inherit likewise the largeness of his 
soul. May the widow, the orphan, and the helpless, find in 
them a protector, a father and a support. In a word, to sura 
up all, may Faneuil live in them. 

' May charity, that most excellent of graces, that beam 
from the breast of the Father of Mercies, which so soon as 
ever it enters our bosoms it begins our happiness ; charity, 
the joy of men, of angels, of Almighty God ; which com- 
pletes the felicity of earth and heaven ; may it warm the 
hearts of those who are like to our departed friend in their 
fortunes, to resemble him too in his bounties : May there 
be rais'd up some new benefactors in the room of him we 
have lost, who shall, if possible, rival Faneuil's spirit. And 
may there always remain in this town, the same grateful sen- 
timents, the same virtuous dispositions, to remember their ben- 
efactors with honour.' 



238 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XLIL 

" He rights such wrong where it is given, 
If it were in the court of heaven." 

In the year 1747 there happened a serious tutnult in Bos- 
ton. A fleet of men of war were lying in the harbour of 
Nantasket, under the command of Commodore Knowles. 
Some of the sailors having deserted, the commodore thought 
it reasonable that Boston should supply him with as many 
men as he had lost, and sent his boats up to town early in 
the morning of Nov. 17th, ' and surprised not only as many 
seamen as could be found on board any of the ships, outward 
bound as well as others, but swept the wharves also, taking 
some ship-carpenters' apprentices and labouring land-men. 
However tolerable such a surprise might have been in Lon- 
don, it could not be borne here. The people had not been 
used to it, and men of all orders resented it ; but the lower 
class were beyond measure enraged, and soon assembled 
with sticks, clubs, pitchmops, &.c. They first seized an inno- 
cent lieutenant, who happened to be ashore upon other busi- 
ness. They had then formed no scheme, and the speaker 
of the House [afterwards Gov. Hutchinson] passing by, and 
assuring them that he knew that the lieutenant had no hand in 
the press, they suffered him to be led ofl" to a place ol safety. 
The mob increasing, and having received intelligence that 
several of the commanders were at the Gov. [Shirley's] house, 
it was agreed to go and demand satisfaction. 'I'he house was 
soon surrounded, and the court or yard before the house, fil- 
led ; but many persons of discretion inserted themselves, and 
prevailed so far as to prevent the mob from entering. Sever- 
al of the officers had plaiUed themselves at the head of the 
stair-way with loaded carbines, and seemed determined to 
preserve their liberty or lose their lives. A deputy sherill" 
attempting to exercise his authority, was seized by the mob 
and carried away in triumph and set in the slocks, which af- 
forded them diversion, and tended to abate their rage, and 
disposed them to separate and go to dinner.' 

' As soon as it was dusk, several thousand people assem- 
bled in King-street, below the town-house, where the gener- 
al court was sitting. Stones and brickbats were ihi-owii 
through the glass into the council chambei'. Tlie governour. 
however, with several gentlemen of the council and house, 
ventured into the balcony, and after silence was obtained. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 239 

the governour in a well-judged speech expressed his great dis- 
approbation of the impress, and promised his utmost endea- 
vours to obtain the discharge of every one of the inhabitants, 
and at the same time gently reproved the irregular proceed- 
ings both of the forenoon and evening. Other gentlemen also 
attempted to persuade the people to disperse, and wait to see 
what steps the general court would take. All was to no pur- 
pose. The seizure and restraint of the commanders and oth- 
er officers who were in town, was insisted upon as the only 
effectual method to procure the release of the inhabitants 
aboard the ships. 

' It was thought advisable for the governour to withdraw to 
his house, many of the officers of the militia and other gentle- 
men attended him. A report was raised, that a barge from 
one of the ships was come to a wharf in the town. The mob 
flew to seize it, but by mistake took a boat belonging to a 
Scotch ship, and dragged it, with as much seeming ease 
through the streets as if it had been in the water, to the gov- 
ernour's house, and prepared to burn it before the house ; but 
from a consideration of the danger of setting the town on fire, 
were diverted, and the boat was burned in a place of less 
hazard. The next day the governour ordered that the milita- 
ry officers of Boston should cause their companies to be mus- 
tered, and to appear in arms, and that a military watch should 
be kept the succeeding night ; but the drummers were interrupt- 
ed, and the militia refused to appear. The governour did not 
think it for his honour to remain in town another night, and 
privately withdrew to the castle. A number of gentlemen 
who had some intimation of his design, sent a message to hind 
by Colonel Hutchinson, assuring him they would stand by 
him in maintaining the authority of government and restor- 
ing peace and order, but he did not think this sufficient. 

'The governour wrote to Mr. Knowles, representing the 
confusions occasioned by this extravagant act of his officers ; 
but he refused all terms of accommodation until the command- 
ers and other officers on shore were suffered to go on board 
their ships, and he threatened to bring up his ships and 
bombard the town, and some of them coming to sail, caused 
different conjectures of his real intention. Captain Erskine, 
of the Canterbury, had been seized at the house of Colonel 
Brinley in Roxbury, and given his parole not to go abroad, 
and divers inferior officers had been secured. 

The 17th, 18th, and part of the 19th, the council and'house 
of representatives, sitting in the town, went on with their ordi- 
nary business, not willing to interpose lest they should encourage 
other commanders of the navy to future acts of the like nature ; 
but towards noon of the 19th, some of the principal members 
of the house began to think more seriously of the dangerous 



240 HISTORY OF BOSTON, 

consequences of leaving the governour without support, ^vherJ 
there was not the least ground of exception to his conduct. 
Some high spirits in the town began to question whether his 
retiring should be deemed a desertion or abdication. It was 
moved to appoint a committee of the two houses to consider 
what was proper to be done. This would take lime, and was 
excepted to, and the speaker was desired to draw up such 
resolves as it was thought necessary the house should imme- 
diately agree to, and they were passed by a considerable 
majority, and made publick. 

' In the house of representatives, Nov. 19th, 1747. 

' Resolved — that there has been and still continues, a tumul- 
tuous, riotous assembling of armed seamen, servants, negroes, 
and others in the town of Boston, tending to the destruction 
of all government and order. 

' Resolved — that it is incumbent on the civil and military 
officers in the Province to exert themselves to the utmost, to 
discourage and suppress all such tumultuous, riotous proceed- 
ings, whensoever they may happen. 

' Resolved — that this house will stand by and support with 
their lives and estates His Ex. the governour and the execu- 
tive part of the government in all endeavours for this purpose. 

' Resolved — that this house will exert themselves by all ways 
and means possible in redressing such grievances as his majes- 
ty's subjects are and have been under, which may have been 
the cause of the aforesaid tumultuous, disorderly assembling 
together. T. Hutchinson, Speaker.'' 

' The council passed a vote, ordering that Capt. Erskine, 
and all other officers belonging to his majesty's ships, should 
be forthwith set at liberty and protected by the government, 
which was concurred by the house. As soon as these votes 
^\(re known, the tumultuous spirit began to subside. The in- 
habitants of the town of Boston assembled in town meeting in 
the afternoon, having been notified, to consider, in general, 
what was proper for them to do upon this occasion, and not- 
withstanding it was urged by many that all measures to sup- 
press the present spirit in the people would tend to encourage 
the like oppressive acts for the future, yet the contrary party 
prevailed, and the town, although they expressed their sense 
of the great insult and injury by the impress, condemned the 
tumultuous, riotous acts of such as had insulted the governour 
and the other branches of the legislature, and committed 
many other heinous oflcnces. 

' The governour, not expecting so favourable a turn, had 
written to the secretary to prepare orders for the colonels of 
the rcgimonis of Cambridge, Roxbury, and Milton, and the 
regiment of horse, to have their officers and men ready to 
march at an hour's warning, to such place of rendezvous as 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 241 

lie should direct ; but the next day there was an uncommon 
appearance of the militia of the town of Boston, many persons 
taking their muskets who never carried one upon an}' other 
occasion, and the governour was conducted to his house with 
as great parade as when he first assimied the government. 
The commodore* dismissed most, if not all, of tlie inhabitants 
■who had been impressed, and the squadron sailed, to the jo}'- 
of the rest of the town.' 

On the morning of Wednesdaj^, Dec. 9, of the same j'ear, 
the Town house was discovered to be on lire, and the whole 
interior of it was consumed. The legislature was in session, 
and made particular inquiry into the occasion of the disaster : 
they ascertained to the satisfaction of the House, that the fire 
proceeded from the wood-work uridcr the hearth. The se- 
lectmen immediately olfered the use of Faneuil-Hall, but (he 
court preferred to occupy a room in a publick house • of the 
late Luke Vardy.'j The court adjourned on the 12th, and 
met again in Februar}'. ^Vhen the subject of a new court- 
house was introduced, a motion prevailed in the House that 
the same should be built in Cambridge : this vote was re- 
considered, and another obtained, which proposed to locate it 
in Roxbury. This was non-concurred, as the former vote 
had been, by the Council. At length a resolve passed, that 
the old building should be repaired, and one half the charge 
be borne by the province, one quarter by the county of Suf- 
folk, and the other quarter by the town of Boston. 

*■ It was repaired in the year following in its present form, 
and is in length one hundred and twelve feet, in breadth thiri}'- 
six feet, and three stories high. On the centre of the roof 
is a tower, consisting of three stories, finished according to the 
Tuscan, Dorick, and lonick orders. From the upper story 
is an extensive prospect of the harbour, into the ba}'^, and of 

the country adjacent. The lower floor of the building 

served for a covered walk for any of the inhabitants. On 
this floor were kept the offices of the clerks of the supreme 
judicial court and court of common pleas. The chambers 
over it were occupied by the general court, the senate in one, 
and the representative body in the opposite chamber. The 
third story was appropriated for the use of the committees of 
the general court. On the lower floor were ten pillars of the 
Dorick order, which supported the chambers occupied by 
the legislature.' 



* Mr. Knowles was afterwards an admiral in Ibe British navy, and in 1770, beiog^ inviteij 
by the empress of Russia, went into hgr service. 

* The Royal Exchange tavern. 

31 



242 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XLIIl. 

" In red and wreathing- columns flashed 
The flame, as loud the ruin crashed, 
And here and there the crackling dome 
Was fired before the exploding bomb." 

We pass by the events of a long and anxious war with the 
French and Indian natives, which, though materially aflect- 
ing the trade and prosperity of Boston, in common with other 
pirts of the American provinces, were of less immediate in- 
terest than the events which we proceed to detail from the 
registers of the times. 

On Wednesday, the 14th of Nov. 1759, a fire happened in 
some wooden buildings, a little to the southward of Oliver's 
bridge, and extended to the lower end of Water-street and 
Milk-st. to Mr. Hallowell's ship-yard. It ragrd with great 
violence for two hours. Ten or twelve dwelling-houses, most 
of them large, besides a number of shops and other buildings, 
were destroyed, and between 20 and 30 families burnt out. 
H. Ex. the governour [Pownall] was present during the whole 
fire, whose direction and iniluence was very serviceable, and 
whose paternal care and tenderness for the distressed was 
quite a{)parent. 

' Between XI. and XII. o'clock at noon on Monday the 17th 
of March, 1 760, a fire broke out at the West part of the 
towu. New Boston so called, hy some accident, whereby a 
joiner's shop was consumed and a large dwelling-house ad- 
joining thereto was a great part of it destroyed and many 
things therein burnt, and several other houses much damaged 
in the ncighbourliood. The wind blowing very high at N.E. 
it was a considerable time before it was extinguished. The 
roof of the West meeting-house caught fire in several places, 
but by the dexterity of the people and a constant supply of 
water a stop was at length put to it.' And 

On the day following, in the forenoon, ' a store at the upper 
end of Grifiin's [L.iverpool] whf. caught fire. The chamber was 
used as a laboratory by a detachment of the British artillery 
then here. The cii-cumstance of artillery stores being in the 
building, gave general alarm, and for a time the citizens were 
afraid to approach neai- it. The fire communicated to some 
powder, and the building bItMV uj). In the exjilosion some 
men were hurt : two grcnadocs and some small ai-ms went 



HISTORY OF BOSTOIS-. 243 

off but did no damage. The extreme parts of the town were 
affected by the shock of the explosion. A carpenter's shop 
was also burnt. It stood between the laboratory and some 
warehouses on the end of the wharf, where the principal ar- 
tillery stores were deposited ; but the wind being moderate, 
and a full tide, the flames were prevented from spreading 
farther.' 

The day following, different parts of the town, at different 
times, were alarmed with the cry of fire : it did not, however, 
then get to a considerable head any where, so as to become 
dangerous. By these fires was ushered in, that far greater 
and more fatal one, which happened on the 20th of March. 
' It began about two o'clock yesterday morning,' says a paper 
of Friday, ' and broke out in the dwelling-house of Mrs. Mary 
Jackson and Son, at the Brazen Head in Cornhill. At its 
first appearance there was little wind ; but this calm was soon 
followed by a smart gale from the N. W. Then was beheld 
a perfect torrent of blaze, bearing down all before it : in a 
seeming instant all was flame. Three or four large buildings* 
in the front of the street were burnt, and a stop was put to it 
there, at the house improved by Mrs. West on the South, and 
Mr. Peter Cotta on the North. But the fire raged most vio- 
lently towards the East, the wind being strong, and carried 
all before it from the back sides of those houses. All the 
stores fronting Pudding-lane, together with every dwelling- 
house, from thence, (excepting those which front the S. side 
of King-st. and a store of Mr. Spooner'st on Water-st.) to 
Quaker-lane, and from thence, only leaving a large old wood- 
en house belonging to the late Cornelius Waldo, Esq. it burnt 
every house, shop, store, out-house, and shed, to Oliver's 
Dock. And an eddy of wind carrying the fire contrary to 
its course, it took the buildings fronting the lower part of 
King-st. and destroyed the houses from the corner opposite 
the Bunch of Grapes tavern, to the warehouse of Box & Aus- 
tin, leaving only the warehouse of the Hon. John Erving, and 
the dwelling-house of Mr. Hastings standing. The other 
brick warehouses towards the Long-whf. were considerably 
damaged. 

On the S. E. part, the fire extended from Mr. Torrey's, the 
baker, in VVater-st. and damaging some of Mr. Dalton's new 
shops, proceeded to Mr. Hall's working-house, and from 



* Mrs. Jackson & Son, Widow McNeal, Jona. Mason, Mrs. Quick [now the sign of the 
Good Samaritan, formerly Three Kings] northernmost burnt. 

t The remains of this old house stood until the summer of 1824, vihen a new brick build- 
ing was erected on the spot. 



244 



HISTORY 0¥ BOSTON. 



thence to xMilkst. and consumed every house, from the next 
to Mr. Calfe's dwelling-house [Julien's Restorator], to the 
boltom of ihc street. 

MU. CALEF'S DWELLTXG-nOUSE, IN 1760. 












JULIENS RESTORATOR, 
AT THE CORNER OF MILK AND CONGRESS-STREETS, DEMOLISHED 15 JILV 1824. 

And in the opposite direction from Mr. Dowsc's, included, it 
carried all before it, every house, to Fort-hill, except the 
Hon. Sec. Oliver's and two or three tenements opposite ; as 
also every house, warehouse, shop, and store, from Olivers 
Dock along Mr. Hallowell's ship-yard, Mr. H."s dwelling- 
house, the Sconce of the S. Battery, all the buildings, shops, 
and stores, on Col. Wendell's whf. to the house of Mr. Hunt, 
ship-huildcr. So that, from Pudding-lnnc to the water's edge, 
there is not a building to be seen, excepting those on the side of 
King-st. and tlie others mentioned above. Besides which, one 
large ship and 8 or 9 vessels were burnt. The fire did not 
extend to any part of the North side of King-st. There was 
a quantity of powder in the Sconce, which blew up. throwing 
the stones and timber to a great distance, and caused a very 
great explosion. The rage of the fire was not over till near 
noon ; but notwithstanding its long continuance, the explosion, 
and (he failini: of walls and chimnics, Divine Providence ap- 
peared merciful, in that not one person's life was Jos', and 
only a few wounded.' 



mSTOTlY OF BOSTON. 245 

Means were taken by the authorities of the town immediate- 
ly to ascertain the amount of losses, and a spirit of sympathy 
was every where excited in behalf of the suftercrs. Every 
individual furnished a schedule of every article he missed, 
and his own valuation of it, to a committee appointed for the 
purpose : where they considered it just, they adopted such 
valuation : where it was thought too high, they curtailed it. 
The whole sum, thus ascertained, amounted to £71,112. Is.ScL 
lawful money : of which £44,12'. Gs. Sd. was in real estate. 
The Quaker meeting-house, 133 dwelling-houses, 36 barns, 63 
stores, 66 shops, in all 299 buildings, were destroyed. Sarah 
Ayers and 438 other sufferers petitioned parliament for relief: 
our accounts do not say that any was obtained : from other 
sources the donations in full, up to the 22d of March, 1763, 
were £22,107. Is. Gd. The town embraced the opportunity 
offered for improvements in the streets, and a law was passed, 
in the June session succeeding the lire, to regulate the building 
of houses on the spots laid waste. 

Gov. Pownall sailed from Boston, June 3, 1760. This left 
the administration in the hands of Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchin- 
son, until the arrival of His Ex. Francis Bernard, Esq. on the 
2d of August following. He was received with great parade. 
The Sheriff of Suffolk (Grecnleaf) and a party of the Gover- 
nour's troop of guards met him at Wrentham, and accompa- 
nied him to Dedham, where the Lt. Gov. and some of the 
council, attended by Brig. Gen. Royall with the rest of the 
troop of guards, waited to receive him. A procession of gen- 
tlemen in coaches and chariots escorted them into town and 
proceeded to the Province House,* where the company of 
of Cadets under Col. Jarvis was drawn up. Thence H. E. 
walked in procession to the Court-house [Old State-house], 
and the regiment of militia in this town commanded by Col. 
Phillips being paraded in the main street, the officers paid the 



* The Province House is a large brick building, which stands in the rear of Province- 
kouse row, opposite the head of Milk-st. It is three stories in height, stood back at a con- 
venient distance from the street, having a small garden plat in front of it, and a fence of 
iron railing, at the gate of which were two large trees, which agreeably shaded the passage 
to the house. The entrance was by an ascent of stone steps. Upon the cupola on the roof 
a pedestal supports a figure of bronze, an aboriginal native holding in his hand a bow and 
arrow, well executed by Dea. Browne, formerly an ingenious artist in the town. The front 
of the house was ornamented with the king's arms, elegantly carved and gilt : this is pre- 
served in tbe museum of the Historical Society. TLie estate has been given by the State to 
the Massachusetts General Hospital and Asylum for the Insane ; the trustees have leased it 
for 100 5-ears, and the lessees erected a large brick pile in front of it, to be used for shop-s 
which entirely prevents its being seen from tbe street. When the Province first obtained 
possession of it, we have not ascertained. Its builder and the year of its erection are proba- 
bly indicated by tliC letters and <late X 6 ^« Sj 7 9 wiiich appear on thi 
rail that surmounts tUe Ivor, bnlnf'.rade over llio poitico- 



246 HISTORY OF BOSTOiV. 

Standing salute as H. E. passed by. At the Court-house the 
governour's commission was read, and H. E. received the 
congratulations of the Court, which was succeeded by three 
voUies from the troop of guards, the regiment of militia and 
the cadets, and three huzzas from the populace, as also a dis- 
charge from the guns at Castle William, the batteries in this 
town and Charlestown, and from the Province ship King 
George and the other ships in the harbour. After which H.E. 
with the Lieut. Gov. and Council, a number of officers civil 
and military, and of the clergy and other gentlemen, were 
entertained with an elegant diimcr, provided at Faneuil-hall. 

The death of king George 11. took place on the 25th of Oc- 
tober, and on the 27th, his grandson George William, prince 
of Wales, was proclaimed in London. Authentick advices of 
these facts were received at Boston in precisely two months 
after their occurrence, and ceremonies very similar to those 
just related took place on the proclamation of king George 
the Third, from the balcony of the Court-house : 63 guns 
being fired at the Castle, a dinner at the Hall, and illumina- 
tions in the evening. On the first of the new year, two 6nys 
after, there was a general mourning on account of George IL 
All the bells in the town began tolling in the morning and con- 
tinued most part of the day, and minute guns to the number 
of 77. the years of His Majesty's age, were discharged at the 
Castle. These were the last exhibitions here of a similar 
nature on the like occasions, and furnish some notion of the 
maimer in which such events had been celebrated ever since 
the new charter. 

In the month of Januar}', 17G1, the weather at Boston was 
extremely cold, so that the harbour was for two or three days 
almost filled with ice. On Tuesday evening, the 13th, ' at 
about half an hour after nine o'clock, a violent fire broke out 
in one of the shops opposite the north side of Faneuil-Hall 
market on Dock-sq. which entirely consumed all the row of 
wooden buildings, fi'om the store occu[)ied by the Hon. 'I'hos. 
Hubbard, Esq. to the swing bridge. These buildings belong- 
ed to the town, and were leased to a number of tradesmen, 
some of whom had their whole stock therein, most of which 
was cither consumed or lost. There were several small 
schooners in the dock, but they received little damage, nor 
ditl the fire proceed to the N. side of the dock ; on the con- 
trary, it communicated itself to that stately edifice, Faneuil- 
Hall market, the whole of which was entirely consumed, ex- 
cepting the lirick walls, which are left standing. The fire 
then proceeded to a number of shops improved by some 
tradesmen, on the South side of the market, and consumed 
them also. The severity of the weather was such that many 
persons could scarce stand it, and the water which issued 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 247 

from the engines congealed into particles of ice before it fell. 
No dwelling-house was consumed. The records and papers, 
with such other things as could be conveniently icmoved, 
were mostly saved. "March 23d, the town voted to repair 
the building, and the Gen. Court granted the town a lottery 
for the purpose of defraying the expense-* 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

I look with rapture at the opening dawn, 
And view the glories of the rising morn, 
When Justice holds her sceptre o'er the land, 
To rescue Freedom from a tj'rant hand. 

Mrs. Wan-en. 

At the close of Chapter xxxiv. we quoted the observation that 
• a party was formed which opposed submission to the charter.' 
Their ground of opposition was the extension, which the char- 
ter gave to the royal power and influence in and over the 
colony. It would be an instructive history, that should ex- 
hibit to us in minute detail the course pursued by that party, 
from the commencement of Gov. Phipps' administration to 
that of Gov. Bernard. We might discover in it the progres- 
sive operation of the principles, and the regular and constant 
increase of the spirit, which in event produced the American 
Revolution. But such a detail would be too foreign from the 
subject of this work. The beginning of the reign of George III. 
was destined to be marked by the more decisive steps of the party 
alluded to, and we therefore proceed to note the events that 
occurred in Boston, which we suppose to have been the com- 
mencenjent of the overt acts, which resulted in open rebellion 
and eventual independence. 

' Suffice it to say, that immediately upon the conquest of 
Canada, in 1759, Great-Britain seemed to be seized with a 
jealousy against the colonies, and then concerted the plan of 
changing their forms of government, of restraining their trade 
within narrower bounds, and raising a revenue within them 



* The first meeting at Faneuil-Hall, after it was repaired, was on March 14th, 1763. Some 
slight alterations were made in some parts of the work, but the size of the building remain- 
ed the same. The enlargement, by which it was extended in width to 80 feet, and a third 
story added, was proposed by the selectmen in May, 1805, and completed in the course of 
the next twelve months. The white line in our view of the Hall exhibits the line o(" 
demarcation between the original building and the addition. 



248 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



by authority of parliament. The first demonstration of the 
new course, intended to be pursued, was the arrival of an or- 
der sent from the Board of Trade to the custom-house officers 
in America, to apply to the supreme courts of justice for IVrits 
of Assistance.^ to enable them to carry into a more rigorous 
execution certain acts of parliament called the Acts of trade. 
In Massachusetts, Charles Paxton, Escp who was at the head 
of the customs in Boston, directed his deputy at Salem, Mr. 
Cockle, in Nov. 1760, to petition the court then sitting in that 
town for the grant of such writs. The court expressed great 
doubt of the legality of the writ, and of the autdority of the 
court to grant it : but as the application was on the part of the 
crown, it could not be dismissed without a hearing, w hich 
"was fixed for the next term of the court, to be held in Yeh. 
17G1, at Boston, when the question was ordered to be argu- 
ed. The proposed form of this writ was such as to give the 
officer holding it, upon bare suspicion, power to enter any 
houses, ships, cellars, stores, chests, or magazines, to search 
for goods that had been imported contrary to the acts of 
trade. 

Beside their natural zeal to merit the approbation of the 
ministry, the custom-house officers had the still stronger in- 
ducement of the prospect of accumulating wealth, to exercise 
rigour in the performance of their official duties. Hence a 
rooted aversion subsisted between them and the people con- 
cerned in the foreign trade of the province. And while the 
question of the issue of \V'rits of Assistance was pending, a 
Kiemorial was framed, apparently with a view to counteract 
their project for gain, and presented to the General Court, 
Dec. 19, 1760, charging them with appropriating to their own 
use, a portion of the goods forfeited, which of right accrued 
to the province. 'J'he memorialists were 58 in number, and 
included the most eminent merchants of Boston ; viz. 



Joljn Avery 
Jona. Williams 
Tim. Fitch 
John Deniile 
John Waldo 
Thos. Greene, Jr. 
Wm. Molineaux 
John Boylston 
John Urowne 
Benj. Ilallowoll 
Blelatiali Bourne 
Thos. Gray 
Sam. Austin 
Josh. Win^low 
Dzek. Ooldtbwaii 



Sam. Dexter 
John Greene 
John Tudor 
Sol. Davis 
John Amory 
John Gooch 
Jona. Mason 
Peter Dover 
Sam. Grant 
Sam. nup|ie.« 
Benj. Austin 
Geo. Erving 
Jos. Green 
Knm. Phil. Savage 
JiiHU-> Perkins 



Thos. Boylston 
John Rowe 
Tim. Newell 
Jos. Domett 
Jolin Spoouer 
Wni. Greenleaf 
John Welch, jr. 
John ScoUay 
John Baker 
Wm. Thompson 
Chr. Clarke 
John Erving, jr. 
John Powell 
>'ath. Holmes 



John Barrett 
Edw. Davis 
Fitch Pool 
Thos. Greene 
Henderson Inches 
Dan'l Malcom 
Thos. Tylei- 
Jona. Amory 
Janies Thompson 
Sam. Welles, jr. 
Sam. Wentworth 
Arnold Welles 
Jona. Snywnrd 
James BoutiapHu 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 249 

These may perhaps be considered the first men, who set 
themselves in open array against the officers of the crown. 
Their memorial was referred to a joint committee of the 
House and Council, which reported that the province was 
illegally and unjustly kept out of £475, 9s. \\d. and that 
the Treasurer should be empowered to demand and sue for 
the money. Gov. Bernard opposed his negative to this pro- 
position, but at last assented to it in a message, Jan. 31, 1761, 
" hoping that they would not require of him such another 
proof of his great desire of preserving a good understanding 
with them."* 

When the time appointed for the discussion of the question 
of Writs of Assistance drew near, the mercantile part of the 
community was in a state of great anxiety as to the result. 
The officers of the customs called upon James Otis, jun. esq. 
as advocate-general in the court of admiralty, to argue their 
cause. But he would not prostitute his office to the further- 
ance of an oppressive act ; and being unwilling to retain a 
station, in which he might be expected to argue in favour of 
such odious measures, he resigned ; and the merchants of 
Boston and Salem immediately engaged him and Oxenbridge 
Thacher, jun. esq. to appear in support of a counter petition, 
W'hich they had presented to the court. 

Mr. Otis was a native of the to\vn of Barnstable ; received 
his education at Harvard College ; graduated in 1743 ; pur- 
sued the study of law in Boston under the direction of Jeremi- 
ah Gridley, Esq. one of the principal lawyers and civilians of 
the day ; commenced practice in Plymouth ; and about the 
year 1750 removed to Boston, and very soon rose to the first 
rank in his profession. His business as a lawyer became 
very extensive, and his reputation was firmly established for 
learning, eloquence, and the most high-minded integrity. He 
was now in the vigour of manhood, just thirty-six years of 
age. An opponent describes him as ' a plump, round-faced, 
smooth skin, short neck, eagle-eyed politician ;' and another 
writer dresses him in a wig and a black gown. 

Mr. Thacher was at this time one of the heads of the bar 
in Boston. His family had always been distinguished in the 
province, and his own character and manners were such as 
to secure affection and esteem : his patriotism was the most 
pure and ardent, joined to a quick perception of the views of 
those in power. He was a Bostonian by birth, and now 
about 41 years of age. 



,* Minot, ii. 86. Printed Journal of Gen. Court, pp. 231. 339. Also Sup. Court Rec. Xug. 
term, 1761, p. 235, where, in an appeal from the Inferior Court, judg-ment is reversed and 
Paxton recovers against. Haxriscjp .Gray, Treasurer, costs taxed^4/. fo^.9d. 

32 ' ' 



250 iiTSTony of bostox. 

The trial took place in the Council Chnmber of the Old 
Town-house. This room was situated at the east end of that 
building : it was an imposing and elegant apartment, orna- 
mented with two splendid full-length portraits of Charles II. 
and James 11. The judges in those days, in conformity to 
European practice, attached a part of their official dignity to 
a peculiar costume, which in later times they have here dis- 
carded. Their dress was composed of voluminous wigs, 
broad bands, and robes of scarlet cloth. They were five in 
number, including Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson who presided as 
chief justice.* I'he room was filled with all the officers of 
government, and the principal citizens, to hear the arguments 
in a cause that inspired the deepest solicitude. 

In consequence of Mr. Otis's resignation, the task of sup- 
porting the petition for the Writs devolved on Mr. Gridley, 
^vho was then attorney-general. He opened the case with 
much learning, ingenuity, and dignity, urging ever}'' point and 
authority, that could be found upon the most diligent search ; 
but made all his reasoning depend on this consideration — 
" if the parliament of Great Britain is the sovereign legisla- 
ture of the British empire." He was succeeded by Mr. 
Thacher on the opposite side, whose reasoning was pertinent 
and able, delivered in a tone of great mildness and modera- 
tion, which convinced his hearers that he was advocating the 
cause of truth and justice. As soon as he had concluded, 
Otis burst forth as with ' a flame of fire : with a promptitude 
of classical allusion, a depth of research, a rapid summary of 
historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a 
prophetick glance of his eyes into futurity, and a rapid tor- 
rent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all before him. 
'Then and there,' says President John Adams, ' was the first 
scene of the first act of opposition to the arbitrary claims of 
Great Britain. Then, and there, the child Independence was 
born. Every man of an immense crowded audience appear- 
efl to me to go away, as I did, ready to take arms against 
Writs of Assistance.' The court adjourned for consideration, 
and, at the close of that term, the cjuestion was continued to 
the next.t 

' An epoch in publick affairs may be dated from this trial. 
Political parties became more distinctly formed, and their 
several adherents were more marked and decided. " Taxa- 
tion without representation is tyranny'''' (a phrase that fell from 
Oiis in the debate,) became a common maxim in the mouth of 



* The astociale Judges were Benja. Lyndc, John Gushing^, Chambers Rutscll, Peter 
Oliver. 
f Thus far we follow Tador's Life of 0U«, p. 53-8t>, respecting' the Writ. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



251 



all the friends of liberty. The crown officers and their fol- 
lowers adopted openly the pretensions of the British ministry 
and parliament, proclaiming a blind submission as the only 
safe or reasonable alternative. The people of Boston showed 
plainly to which party they belonged, by the election of Mr. 
Otis, almost unanimously, as a representative for the town in 
the next general court. His colleagues were Royal Tyler, 
John Phillips, and Thomas Gushing, all of them men of great 
weight in society. Gov. Bernard perceived the spirit that 
was rising, and some of his friends, whose wisdom has been 
proved by events, predicted that ' out of this election a fac- 
tion would arise, which would shake the province to its foun- 
dation.' The Governour, in his speech at the opening of the 
Gen. Court, advised them to lay aside all divisions, and to 
give no attention to declamations tending to promote a sus- 
picion of the civil rights of the people being in danger. They 
replied, that they knew nothing of any such parties as he de- 
scribed, and were not in the least degree suspicious ; but 
firmly expressed their intention to see for themselves, wheth- 
er the rights of the people were or were not in danger. 

A final ' hearing was had before the Sup. Court of Judica- 
ture, upon the petition of the officers of the customs for a Writ 
of Assistance on Wednesday,' the 18th of November. The 
whole day and evening, (says the Boston Gazette of the 23d) 
' was spent in the arguments, and nothing could have induced 
one to believe they were not conclusive against the petition, 
but the judgment of the court immediately given in favour of 
it.' The papers soon exhibited the dissatisfaction which this 
decision occasioned. On the 7th of Dec. a piece appeared 
signed ' A fair trader,' complaining that the Acts of trade 
were no where executed with such rigour as in this colony, 
and concluding thus : .' We want nothing but to be as free as 

-111 

others are, and that others should be restrained as well as 
we. This is reasonable. We have a Right to claim it.' 

The part, which Mr. Otis had taken, designated him as the 
friend of the people, and they therefore took deep interest in 
a controversy which took place in the papers between him 
and Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, respecting the currency of the 
province. Otis improved the opportunity to turn their 
thoughts to the circumstance of His Honour's enjoying so 
many lucrative offices as were united in his person, viz. 
that of Lieut. Gov. with the emoluments of captain of the 
castle, a member of the Council, Judge of Probate, and 
Chief Justice of the supreme court. O-'s first piece on this 
subject appeared Dec. 21, 1761, and the last Jan. 11, 1762. 
' The question was settled at the next meeting of the legisla- 
ture, according to the principles which Otis had advanced.' 
Having thus obtained an ascendancy, the majority attempted 



252 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

to retrieve the ground which they had lost by the decision on 
the Writs of Assistance, and a bill was prepared, the sub- 
stance of which was, to prevent the issuing of those writs to 
any person but a custom-house officer, and that upon special 
information on oath ; but the attempt was checked by the 
Governour's refusal to give his assent to the bill. An ineffec- 
tual effort was also made to exclude the Justices of the 
Sup. Court from a seat in the Council or House of Repre- 
sentatives. These conflicts, though sometimes unavailing, 
served to prove the strength of parties, and to keep alive 
the growing jealousy between them.* 

Mr. Otis and his colleagues were re-elected in May, 1762, 
with a decided approbation, in the Gazette, of the course 
they had pursued in regard to the points in controversy. 
Brigadier-General Timothy Ruggles, from Hardwick, in the 
county of Worcester, the leader of the government party in 
the House, was chosen speaker, at the May session ; and the 
court was prorogued, June 12th, with some expressions of 
pleasure from the Governour for their good conduct. In 
September they met again, and ' on the 14th' His Excellency 
sent a message informing the house, that, to quiet the fears of 
those concerned in the fishing vessels, he had increased the 
arniament of the Massachusetts sloop, and sent her out for 
their protection. A little paper accompanied the message, 
with a short account of the difference to the province by the 
Gov. and Council's enlarging the establishment, which 
amounted to about £72. This message gave rise to a re- 
markable discussion, and this trifling expenditure may be 
considered as one of the preparatory causes of the revolu- 
tion. It was not the measure itself, nor the expense of it, 
that gave the House so much uneasiness, but the manner of 
It ; that is, the enlarging the establishment without the 
knowledge of the house, and paying for it without their 
privity or consent. The message was referred to a commit- 
tee, ol which Mr. Otis was chairman, who reported a remon- 
strance, addressed to the Gov. in which they declared that 
the proceeding was ' in eflect taking from the House their 
most darling privilege, the right of originating all taxes. — No 
necessity can be sufficient to justify a house of representatives 
in giving up such a privilege ; for it woxdd be of little C07ise(jnence 
to the people, whether they zoere subjects to George or Lezois, the 
king of G.B. or the French king, if both uiere arbitrary, as 
both xvould be, if both could levy taxes zvitJioiit Parliament.'' 

' When the passage in Italics was read, Mr. Paine a member 

* Town Hfcords, March 8, 1762. ' Upon consiileration of that clause in the warrant, vir. 
that the tuwii will take null im-lhodi us shall lu- judgeil necessary ("or the Incorporation ol 
it, the (jucbtioii was put, whether the town would take any such steps f Passed in the ne|>n' 
tlve utmoit i(naiiiin(nu/y.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTO-V. 253 

from Worcester, cried out, Treason^ treason ! but after a most 
animated speech from Otis, the answer was passed entire by 
a large majority, and Otis was appointed one of the commit- 
tee to present it to the Governour.' H. E. ' was so displeased 
at this passage that he sent a letter to the speaker, returning 
the message of the House and recommending earnestly, that 
it might not be entered upon the minutes as it then stood. 
After some debate the exceptionable clause was struck out, 
but enough remained to excite a vindication from the Gover- 
nour, which he sent by the secretary at the same lime that he 
gave the house notice to attend him in the council chamber to 
be prorogued. 

Soon after this separation, Otis published a pamphlet,* giv- 
ing an account of all these occurrences and justifying the 
course pursued by the house. This production has been con- 
sidered the original source, from which all subsequent argu- 
ments against taxation were derived.! The principal stress 
in the argument of Mr. Otis was laid against the constitution- 
ality of the measure, and the position assumed by the Gover- 
nour was not only shown to be untenable, but the dan- 
gerous tendency of constructive power was pointed out with a 
clearness and force, that effectually roused the publick atten- 
tion to guard against every step of arbitrary power in future. 

In the winter session of 1762-3 another occasion of dispute 
was afforded by an application from the Attorney-General for 
remuneration for his official services, which was so managed 
as to give the popular party a triumph, at the same time that 
the officer received the compensation that was honourably 
due to him. And this subject had not lost its interest, before 
another excitement was produced on still a different ground. 
The project of sending a bishop to America had been in agi- 
tation for ten or fourteen years, | and the minds of |)eople 
were well prepared for an attack upon the established church. 
Doctor E. Miller, who was a missionary from the society for 
propagating the gospel, died at Braintree whrre 

he had been officiating to an episcopal church. The manner 
in which his death was noticed in one of the Boston papers 
brought on a controversv, in which most of the dissenters 
found themselves ranged on one side, in opposition to the few 
adherents to the church, among whom were most of the de- 
pendents on the crown. These writings may therefore he 
considered as having increased the divisions, which were ris- 
ing in Massachusetts. 



* " A Vindication of the conduct of the House of Representatives," &c. by James Otis, Ejou 
a member of said house." It was published Nov. 15, 1762. 
t Franklin had urged similar arguments to Gov. Shirley, 1754. F. was here, Oct. 1763. 
t See News-Letter, Dec. 13, 1750, and Ev. Post. Aug. 22, 1763. 



254 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The people of Boston manifested their adherence to the 
popular side by the re-election of Otis, Tyler, and Gushing, 
for their representatives, with the addition of Oxenbridge 
Thacher Jr. instead of Col. Phillips, who had just deceased 
(April, 26. 17G3.) Great eiTorts had been made to prevent 
the choice of Mr. Otis ; his motives had been traduced, and 
his conduct attributed to personU foeiin* rather than zeal for 
the publick good. He had however defended himself, in his 
own name, to the complete discomfiture of his enemies. 

Through the remainder of the year there were occasional 
publications, calculated to keep alive the spirit, which had 
displayed itself in the Province : there was no torpor to in- 
vite encroachments upon civil rights by stealth, but rather an 
excessive anxiety about the course, which government might 
resolve to pursue, relative to the regulations of trade. The 
first evidence on this point was ' an act for the further im- 
provement of K. M. revenue, for the encouragement of offi- 
cers making seizures, and for the prevention oi the clandestine 
running of goods,' which was published in Boston, Sept. 22d, 
and followed on the IGth of November, by Gov. Bernard's 
proclamation for aid and assistance in the execution of it. 

In the opening of the year 1 7G4, Boston was visited again 
with the small pox, which continued its ravages till the end 
of June.* The melancholy that attended the prevalence of 
this horrible disorder, was rendered still more sober, by the 
daily expectation of unwelcome news from England. Notice 
of i-esolutions in p irliainent proposing duties on various foreign 
articles imported into the colonies, and a duty upon other arti- 
cles, the produce of the colonies, exported to any other 
place than Great Britain, was received early in May. Antici- 
pating the worst, the people of Boston, having re-elected the 
same representatives on the 15th of May, appointed Richard 
Dana, Esq. Mr. Samuel Adams, John Ruddock, Esq. Nathl. 
Bcthunc, Esq. and Jos. Green, Esq. a committee to prepare 
such instructions, to l)e given to the representatives, as the cx- 
igen lies of the times required. On the 24th the committee 
reported and the town approved and adopted their report. 

In this paper the town claim 'the constitutional right of ex- 
pressing their tnind' to their representatives ' upon particular 
matters' and charge them to maintain ' the invaluable rights 
and privileges of the province — as well those rights, which 
are derived to us by the I'oyal charter, as those which, being 



ll may be noted here, thai the pupulutiun of tin' town w;is nscortained by actual eiiume- 

raiiuii to be iii 1742 16,382 souls, including: 1371 blacks. 

J7S2 15,731 „ „ 1511 „ 

ntiS 15,520 „ 

The gareltes of May, 1701, tjive the names of twenty iilivaiciaiis, (besides Dr. Jackson of 
rorlsmoulJi,) who iiiociiluted the poor el" t!io town. 



HISTORY OF B0ST10X. i25S ' 

prior to and independent on it, we bold essentially a? free-born 
subjects of G. B/ Then thej prescribe the course they wish 
to have pursued in relation to members of the General Court 
holding offices under the crown or the governour, the excise 
laws, salaries of judges, war expences; and having mentioned 
the importance of free trade to the prosperity of the town, and 
the evils apprehended from the measures of government, they 
proceed to say, 

' There is now no room for further delay, we therefore ex- 
pect that you will use your earliest endeavours in the General 
Assembly that such methods may be taken as will etfectually 
prevent these proceedings against us. By a proper represen- 
tation, we apprehend, it may easily be made to appear, that 
such severities will prove detrimental to G. B. itself : upon 
which account we have reason to hope that an application, 
even for a repeal of the act, should it be already past, will be 
successful. It is the trade of the colonies that renders them 
beneficial to the mother country. Our trade, as it now and 
always has been conducted, centres in G. B. and in return 
for manufactures atlbrds her more ready cash, beyond any 
comparison, than can possibly be expected by the most san- 
guine promoters of these extraordinary methods. 

' But what still heightens our apprehensions is, that these 
unexpected proceedings may be preparatory to new taxations 
upon us : for if our trade may be taxed, why not our lands ? 
why not the produce of our lands and every thing we possess 
or make use of ? This we apprehend annihilates our charter 
ricrht to govern and tax ourselves. It strikes at our British 
privileges, which as we have never forfeited them we hold 
in common with our fellow subjects, who are natives of Britain. 
If (axes are laid upon ns in any shape without our having a le- 
gal representation where they are made, are we not reduced 
from the character of free subjects to the miserable state of 
tributary slaves? 

' We therefore earnestly recommend it to you to use your 
utmost endeavours to obtain in the Gen. Assembly all neces- 
sar}'' instruction and advice to our Agent at this most critical 
juncture * * * * that he may ba able in the most humble 
and pressing manner to remonstrate for us all those rights 
and privileges, which justly belong to us either by charter or 
birth : in acknowledged dependence upon and subordination 
toG. B. As H. M.'s other N. American colonies are embark- 
ed with us in this most important bottom, we further desire 
you to use your endeavours that their weight may be added 
to that of this province, that by the united application of all 
who are aggrieved, all may happily obtain redress.' 

The acts were passed, which had been recommended, ex- 
cept that by which it was proposed to lay a stamp duty on 



256 HISTORY OF BOSTOJf, 

all written or printed papers, in the colonies : this was defer- 
red for one year's consideration, and to obtain the opinion of 
the colonists respecting it, The legislature instructed the 
Agent in very strong terms, and Mr. Otis published, (July, 
23,) a tract entitled ' The Rights of the British colonies asserted 
and proved,^ which was followed on the same side (Sept. 3,) 
by ' The Sentiments of a British American' written by Mr. 
Thacher. These two publications gave an importance to the 
qtiestions between the ' mother country' and the colonies, 
which led to a closer examination of the subjects, on both 
sides of the water. 



CHAPTER XLV. 



First of your kind 1 Society divine ! 



Whatever other subjects may have engrossed the general 
attention, there never has been a period when the people of 
Boston lost their interest in those of a religious nature. The 
letters of Robert Sandeman to Mr. Hervey had excited a de- 
sire in some people to see the former in this quarter of the 
world. Pressing solicitations were sent to him from different 
parts of New England by letter from some of the clergy as 
well as of the laity, and he arrived in Boston on the 18th of 
October, 1764, in the Ship George and .lames, Montgomery, 
from Glasgow. On the next sabbath he performed religious 
service at Masons' hall. ' Those who first associated with 
him in Boston were, Edward Foster, A 1 ford Butler, and Geo. 
Oglevie with their respective wives and families ; and vei-y 
soon after, Edw. King, Henry Capen, Adam Chizcau, Ebene- 
zer Allen, Barnabas Allen, Hopestill Capen. Benjamin Davies^ 
Isaac \Vinslow,Colburn Barrell, Walter liarrcll. Mr. Peck, Han- 
nah Robinson. Susanna D^vies, Mar}'^ Cotton, Mary West, Ke- 
zia West, Mrs. Stayner and some others of both sexes. Mr. 
Joseph Howe and Samuel JIarris and wife joined the soci- 
ety at a later period. 

' They first met in a large room at Mr. Foster's house in 
that part of Prince St. called Black Horse lane, but as much 
attention was excited, they removed to the Long Room at the 
tireen Dragon. They soon built a house at the bottom of a 
lane leading to the mill pond, somewhere between the two 
Baptist meeting houses. It was erected for the. sole purpose of 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 257 

a meeting house, by assistance from many friends.' This house 
was burnt in a fire which happened on Sunday, April, 4, 
1 773, at 4 o'clock P. M. in a building belonging to Mr- Alex- 
ander Edwards, cabinet-maker, and in a short time extended 
to several other shops and sheds in the neighbourhood. The 
spot has since been occupied as a bake-house, and is now 
within the premises of Mr. Joseph Veazie. Engine house. 
No. 3, stands at the head of the passage way. 

The Sandemanian society afterwards convened at Mr. 
Tovvnsend's in Cross-st. They subsequently built a house in 
the rear of Middle-street, where they met till within two years, 
when the attendance became so thin as to occasion the discon- 
tinuance of their meetings. A primary school is now kept in 
the same building. 

As to church officers, they always had two elders (teach- 
ers) and deacons : no deaconesses are recollected. Daniel 
Humphreys, esq. (brother to the late Col. Humphreys) was 
early a deacon here, but soon removed to Danbury, Conn, 
to officiate as an elder. Mr. H. is still living and resides at 
Portsmouth, N. H. being Dist. Attorney of the U. S. He is an 
elder in a small society there, of which Mr. Butler abovena- 
med is also a living member. Mr. Sandeman died at Danbu- 
ry, April 2, 1771, ast. 53. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

Canterbury. " That self bill is urg'd 

Which, in the eleventh year of the last king's reigii 
Was like, and had indeed against us pass'd, 
But that 

Ely. But how, my lord, shall we resist it now ? 

Cant. It must be thought on." 

It was in vain that all the colonies, in their separate ca- 
pacities, remonstrated against the passage of the proposed 
Stamp Act. The king gave his assent to it on the 22d of 
March, 1765, and an unofficial copy of it was received in 
Boston on the 26th of May.* It consisted of fifty-five sec- 
tions, each proposing a stamp duty, from half a penny to 
twenty shillings, ' on every skin of vellum or parchment or 
sheet or piece of paper,' on which any thing should be en- 
grossed, written, or printed, which it was possible to imagine 
could be of any use to any person, to have written, printed, 

* Otis's Botta, Hist. Rev. to), i. 73, contains a copy, 

33 



258 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

or engrossed. The Mutiny Act was passed at the same ses- 
sion, which required the colonies to provide for quartering the 
king's troops, while on service in the colonies. The Virginia 
legislature were in session when the Stamp Act arrived : it is 
well known that they immediately adopted (May 29th) the 
resolutions of Patr. Henry, which fact has given to that state 
the honour of having been foremost in opposition to the pre- 
tensions of parliament.! The Massachusetts legislature con- 
vened on the 30th of May, and by resolutions on the 8th of 
June, proposed a congress of deputies from all the colonies, to 
be held in New York on the first Tuesday of October ensu- 
ing. The Stamp Act was to commence operation on the first 
of November. 

At this critical moment the cause of liberty lost one of its 
worthiest advocates by the death of Oxenbridgc Thacher jr. 
esq. on the 9th of July. His place in the house of represen- 
tatives was supplied by the choice of Samuel Adams. 

The gazettes of July abounded with articles, from all quar- 
ters, exciting the people to watchfulness, and ' it began to be 
said that some provinces resolve not to pay the stamp duties.' 
But no business can be legally transacted without the stamps : 
the courts cannot proceed, without stamps upon their writs 
and processes : no vessel can enter and no clearance can be 
had without a stamp : no collegiate diploma can be issued 
without a stamp : no marriage can be celebrated without a 
stamp upon the clerk's certificate : cards must be stamped ; 
newspapers must be stamped ; almanacks must be stamped ; 
every thing, in fine, must bear this mark of slavery, or the 
execution of the act must be prevented. What then shall be 
done ? 

While the considerate part of the community were ponder- 
ing this important question, information was received in Bos- 
ton, that the secretary of the province, Andrew Oliver, esq. 
was appointed distributor of stamps for Massachusetts, and 
that a cargo of the papers might be daily expected to arrive 
in the harbour. Popular feeling could no longer be suppres- 
sed ; and what calm reasoning could not decide, passion, the 
love of liberty without restraint, brought to a determination. 

Near the head of Essex-street there used to be a grove of 
' those majcstick elms, of the American species, that form one 
of the greatest ornaments in the landscape of this country,' 
which obtained the name of Hanover-square, or the neigh- 
bourhood of the Elms. On one of these, which stood in 
front of a house opposite the Boylston Market, on the edge ol 



t Aug. 11, I76ti. At a celebration in Boston the following' toast was given ; " TH< nobit 
yirpiniani, vKoJinl tuttrttd thtir rigKli vith dcctnt Jirmnct}." B. Uai. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 259 

the street, there was discovered hanging, at break of day, on 
the 14th of August, an effigy representing JVJr. Oliver, and a 
Boot (the emblem of Lord Bute, a promoter of American tax- 
ation) with the devil peeping out of it, having the stamp act 
in his hand, besides various other satirical emblems.* Some 
of the neighbours offered to take it down, but they were given 
to know, that would not be permitted. The Lieut. Gov. as 
chief justice, directed the sheriff to order the effigy to be ta- 
ken down, but his officers reported that they could not do it 
without imminent danger of their lives. 

Business was almost laid aside during the day, and multi- 
tudes from the country as well as the town flocked to witness the 
sight. As soon as it began to grow dark, the mob, which 
had been gathering all the afternoon, came down in proces- 
sion to the Town-house, bearing the effigy with them ; and 
knowing that the Governour and Council were in session, they 
gave three huzzas by way of defiance, and passed on towards 
Kilby-street, where Mr. Oliver had lately erected a building, 
which people supposed was designed for a stamp office. That 
they instantly demolished, and bearing each man a portion of 
the ruins upon his shoulder, they moved in solemn pomp to 
Fort-hill, where they made a bonfire in view of Mr. Oliver's 
house, and burnt the effigy upon it. Mr. O. had removed his 
family, but remained himself with a few friends till the mob 
approached, when he was persuaded to withdraw. The mob 
got possession of the house, broke the windows and tore down 
the garden fences. 

' After eleven o'clock, the people seeming to grow quiet, the 
Lieut. Gov. and the sheriff ventured to go to Mr. Oliver's 
house, and endeavour to persuade them to disperse. As 
soon as they began to speak, a ringleader cried out, " The 
Governour and the sheriff, to your arms, my boys :" and 
presently a volley of stones followed, and the two gentlemen 
narrowly escaped, through favour of the night, not without 
some bruises. Nothing more being to be done, the mob were 



* This exhibition was not an original : it was probably an imitation of one in Devonshire, 
of which a Boston paper of Aag. 20, 1763, gave the following account : — ' About two miles 
below Iloniton there was suspended on an apple-tree, that grew over the road, a figure as 
big as life, dressed in Scotch plaid, with something to resemble a ribbon over one shoulder, 
and on a painted board, affixed to the tree, were these lines : 

' Behold the man who made the yoke, Now Britons all, join heart and hand, 

Which doth Old England's sons provoke, His sly-schemed project to withstand. 
And now he hangs upon a tree, That all our sons, as well as we. 

An emblem of our liberty. May have our Cider go scot free.' 

' LIBERTY, PROPERTY, AND NO EXCISE.' 



260 lllSTOKY Oh- BOSTON. 

left (o disperse at their own time, which they did about 
twelve o'clock.' 

In the arternoon of the next day, ' several gentlemen ap- 
plied to Mr. Oliver, to advise him to make a publick declara- 
tion, that he would resign the office, and never act in it ; 
without which they said his house would be immediately de- 
stroj^ed, and his life in continual danger ; upon which he was 
obliged to authorize some gentlemen to declare in publick, that 
he would immediately apply for leave to resign, and would not 
act in the office (as indeed it was impossible lor him to do) un- 
til he received further orders.' 

An oflicer addressing the lords of trade, writes thus : — 
'After the demolition of Mr. Oliver's house was found so 
practicable and easy, that the government was obliged to look 
on, without being able to take any one step to prevent it, and 
the principal people of the town publickly avowed and justi- 
fied the act, the mob, both great and small, became highly 
elated, and all kinds of ill-humours were set on foot.' 

' On Monday, August 26, there was some small rumour, 
that mischief would be done that night ; but it was in general 
disregarded. Towards evening some boys began to light a 
bonfire before the Town- house, which is an usual signal for a 
mob. Before it w^as quite dark, a great company of people 
gathered together, crj'ing. Liberty cmd Property ; which is 
their usual notice of their intention to plunder and pull down 
an house. They went first to Mr. Paxton's house, who is 
marshall of the court of Admiralty', and surveyor of the port; 
and finding before it the owner of the house (Mr. Paxton be- 
ing only a tenant) he assured them, that Mr. Paxton had quit- 
ted the house with his best efficcts, and that the house was his ; 
that he had never injured them, and finally, invited them to 
go to the tavern and drink a barrel of punch : the ofi'er was 
accepted, and so that house was saved. As soon as they had 
drank the punch, the}' went to the house of Mr. Storj', reg- 
ister-deputy of the Admiralty, [opposite the North corner of 
the Court-house] broke into it, and broke it all to pieces, and 
took out all the books and papers, among which were all the 
records of the court of Admiralty, and carried them to the 
bonfire, and there burnt them ; they also looked about for 
him with an intention to kill him. From thence they went to 
Mr. HallowelPs, comptroller of the customs, broke into his 
house, [recently the mansion house of Flon. John Coffin Jones, 
in Tlanover-streei, where the new Trinitarian Church is now 
building] and destroyed and carried ofi' every thing of value, 
with about sol. sterling, in cash. 'J'his house was lately built 
by himself, and fitted ;ind furnished with i^reat elegance. 

' But the grand mischief of all was to come. The l.ieuten- 
ant-govcrnour had been apprized, that there was an evil spirit 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 261 

gone forth against him ; but, being conscious that he had not 
in the least deserved to be made a party, in regard lo the 
Stamp-act or the Custom-house, he rested in full security that 
the mob would not attack him ; and he was at supper with 
his family when he received advice that the mob was coming 
to him. He immediately sent away his children, and deter- 
mined to stay in the house himself : but, happil}^ his eldest 
daughter returned, and declared she would not stir from the 
house, unless he went with her; by which means she got him 
away, which was undoubtedly the occasion of saving his life. 
For, as soon as the mob had got into the house, [it was that 
now occupied by William Little esq. in Garden-Court street] 
with a most irresistible fury, they immediately looked about 
for him, to murder him, and even made diligent enquiry 
whither he was gone. They went to work with a rage scarce 
to be exemplified by the most savage people. Every thing 
moveable was destroyed in a most minute manner, except 
such things of value as were worth carrying off; among which 
were near lOOOl. sterling, in specie, besides a great quantity 
of family plate, &c. But the loss to be most lamented is, that 
there was in one room, kept for that purpose, a large and val- 
uable collection of manuscripts and original papers, which he 
had been gathering all his life-time, and to which all persons, 
who had been in possession of valuable papers of a publick 
kind, had been contributing, as to a publick Museum. As these 
related to the history and policy of the country, from the time 
of its settlement to the present, and was the only collection of 
its kind, the loss of the publick is great and irretrievable, as it 
is to himself, the loss of the papers of a family, which had 
made a figure in this province for a hundred and thirty years. 
As for the house, which from the structure and inside finish- 
ing, seemed to be from a design of Inigo Jones or his suc- 
cessor, it appears that they were a long while resolved to level 
it to the groimd : they worked three hours at the cupola be- 
fore they could get it down, and they uncovered part of the 
roof; but I suppose, that the thickness of the walls, w'hich 
were of very fine brick-work, adorned with Ionic pilasters 
worked into the wall, prevented their completing their pur- 
pose, though they worked at it till daylight. The next day, 
the streets were found scattered with money, plate, gold rings, 
&c. which had been dropped in carrying off. The whole loss 
in this house is reckoned at £3168. 17s. 9d. lawful.' 

The principal citizens, perceiving that such outrages must 
infallibly injure a cause they considered just, were very 
strenuous to distinguish this tumultuous conduct from the 
truly noble opposition which they wished to manifest to the 
imposition of internal taxes by authority of parliament. 



262 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

A town meeting was held, as early as possible on the next 
day. and the town expressed their ' detestation' of the vio- 
lent proceedings of tiic past night, and unanimously voted, 
that the selectmen and magistrates be desired to use their ut- 
most endeavours to suppress such disorders for the future. 

In the month of September* a quantity of the stamps arri- 
ved, and Gov. Bernard, finding that Mr. Oliver could ' not 
safely meddle with them,' asked the advice of the Gen. Court, 
in order that they might be preserved safe and secure, but 
the Court excused themselves from giving any advice or as- 
sistance on the subject, and the stamps were deposited in the 
Castle for safe keeping. 

The first of November had been appointed as a sort of Ju- 
bilee, before the riot of the 26th of August happened, and it 
had for many years been customary to celebrate the fifth of 
November. The following account of the events of those two 
days, in 1765, are from the JMass. Gazette, and convey a 
strong idea of the publick excitement. 

' Last Friday being the daj' the stamp-act n-as lo take place, 
the publick were not much alarmed or displeased at the morn- 
ing's being ushered in by the tolling of bells in several parts 
of the town, and the vessels in the harbour displaying their 
colours half mast high, in token of mourning : and though 
some previous steps had been taken by authority to prevent 
any pageantrj^, fearing lest tumult and disorder might be the 
consequence, yd the people were soon informed that the 
Great Tree at the South part of the town (known by the name 
of the Tree of Liberty ever since the memorable 14th of Aug- 
ust) was adorned with the efTigies of the two famous or rather 
infamous enemies of American Lilierty; G — ge G — ?;r — c and 
J-hn II — sk — . The figures continued suspended without any 
molestation till about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they 
were cut down in the view and amid the acclamations of sev- 
eral thousand people of all ranks, and bring placed in a cart, 
were with great solemnity and order followed by the multi- 
tude, formed into regular ranks, to the Court-house, where the 
Assembly was then sitting ; from thence proceeding to the 
North end of the town and then returninc; up Middle Street, 
the}' passed back through the town to the gallows on the Neck, 
where the effigies were again hung up, and after continuing 
some time were cut down, when the populace, in token of their 



' Sept. II. There was a general rejoicing on Ihe cliange of niinislry, of wliicb news was 
received, and ' On the body of Ihe largest tree was fiied with large deck nails, that i( 
might last (as a poet said, titt oaken bench to perpetuity,) a copper plate [2 l-2ft. by S 1-21 
with these words £iani|>ed thereon in golden letters ; Tke trte of liberty, Aug. 14. 1765.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 263 

Utmost detestation of the men they were designed to repre- 
sent, tore them in pieces and flung their limbs with indigna- 
tion into the air. This being done, three cheers were given, 
and every man was desired to repair to his home, which was 
so punctually performed, that the evening was more remark- 
able for peace and quietness than common ; a circumstance 
that would at any time redound to the honour of the town, 
but was still more agreeable, as the fears of many were great 
lest it should prove another 26th of August ; for the horrid 
violences of which night we hope the good order of this will 
in some measure atone, as it is a proof such conduct was not 
agreeable to the sentiments of the town, but was only the 
lawless ravages of some foreign villains, who took advantage 
of the over-heated temper, of a very few people of this place, 
and drew them in to commit such violences and disorders as 
they shuddered at with horror in their cooler hours.' 

' Tuesday last being the anniversary of the commemora- 
tion of the happy deliverance of the English nation from the 
Popish Plot, commonly called The Powder Plot, the guns 
at Castle William and at the batteries in town were fired at 
1 o'clock ; as also on board the men of war in the harbour. 

' It has long been the custom in this town on the Fifth of 
November for numbers of persons to exhibit on stages some 
pageantry, denoting their abhorrence of Popery and the 
horrid Plot which was to have been executed on that day 
in the year 1685 ; these shews of late years had been contin- 
ued in the evening, and wc have often seen the bad effects at- 
tending them at such a time ; the servants and negroes would 
disguise themselves, and being armed with clubs would en- 
gage each other with great violence, whereby many came off 
badly wounded ; in short they carried it to such lengths that 
two parties were created in the town, under the appellation of 
Korth-End and South-End : but the disorders that had been 
committed from time to time induced several gentlemen to try 
a reconciliation between the two parties ; accordingly the 
chiefs met on the first of this instant, and conducted that af- 
fair in a very orderly manner ; in the evening the command- 
er of the South entered into a treaty with the commander of 
the North, and after making several overtures they recipro- 
cally engaged on a UNION, and the former distinctions to 
subside ; at the same time the chiefs with their assistants en- 
gaged upon their honour, no mischiefs should arise by their 
means, and that they would prevent any disorders on the 5th 
— when the day arrived the morning was all quietness — about 
noon the pageantry. representing the Pope, Devil, and several 
other effigies signifying Tyranny, Oppression, Slavery, &c. 
were brought on stages from the North and South, and met in 
King-street, where the Union was established in a very cere- 



264 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

menial manner, and having given three huzzas, they inter- 
changed ground, the South marched to the North, and the 
Noiih to the South, parading through the streets until they met 
again near the Court-house : the whole then proceeded to the 
Tree of Liberty, under the shadow of which they refreshed 
themselves for a while, and then retreated to the northward, 
agreeal>Ie to their plan ; — they reached Copps" Hill before G 
o'clock, where they hailed, and having enkindled a fire, the 
whole pageantry was committed to the llamesand consumed : 
this being fmisued, every person was requested to retire to 
their respective homes — It must be noticed to the honour of 
all those concerned in this business that every thing was con- 
ducted in a most regular manner, and such order observed as 
could harJly be expected among a concourse of several thou- 
sand people — all seemed to be joined agreeable to their prin- 
cipal motto Lovely Unily — the leaders, Mr, Mcintosh from the 
South, and Mr. Swift from the North, appeared in military 
habits, with small canes resting on their left arms, having mu- 
sick in front and flank ; their assistants appeared also distin- 
guished with small reeds, then the respective corps followed, 
among whom were a great number of persons in rank : these 
with the sjiectators filled the streets ; not a club was seen 
among the whole, nor was any negro allowed to approach near 
the stages ; — after the conflagration the populace retired, and 
the town remained the whole night in better order than it had 
ever been on this occasion. — Many gentlemen seeing the af- 
fair so well conducted, contributed to make up a handsome 
purse to entertain those that carried it on. — This union, and 
one other* more extensive, may be looked upon as the (perhaps 
the only) happy eflects arising fi-om the S — p A — t.' 

To relieve the merchants in some measure fiom the difli- 
culties to which they were exposed, the custom-house oitlcers 
gave to vessels destined for foreign ports a certificate, that no 
stamps could be procured in Boston. Trusting to this secu- 
rity, and perhaps willing to contest the right of parliament 
to impose the stamp duty before a court in England, John 
Hancock, esq.t despatched the fii-st ship, the Boston Packet, 
Capt. Marshall, which arrived safe at London and was ad- 
mitted without any trouble. Some other vessels sailed in the 
same month of November. 

In the early part of December the Sons of Liberty (so 
those who espoused the popular side were called, adopting 
the appellation given them by Col. Barre on the floor otpar- 



• Uf frrriiip probably to an ag-reciiu'nt iiol Co import goods iVoin England. 

t Mr. Uancork was one of the selectmen : the year preceiliiij be had come into |>osses- 
Mon of u Urpc entan>, left to him by lii& uncle Tbomas li. n great benefnclor of tlie town 
auU also of Harvard College. 



HI3T0RT OF BOSTON. 265 

iiament) received information, that there was some probability 
that Mr. Oliver would accept the coQimission to distribute 
stamps, notwithstanding his iurmer resignation. He was 
challenged by an anonymous writer to give a decided an- 
swer to the question, whether it were so or not. By the fa- 
voar of the printer, he was permitted to reply in the same ga- 
zette. This was not satisfactory, and he received a note on 
the 16th, desiring him to appear ' to-morrow, under Liberty- 
Tree, at lf2 o'clock, to make a publick resignation.' Accord- 
ingly the selectmen, with the merchants and the principal in- 
habitants of the tow^n, to the amount of upwards of 2000, as- 
sembled at the Tree, at the time appointed. Mr. O. sent a 
note with ' compliments to the gentlemen assembled.' contain- 
ing a proposition to have the ceremony performed at the Town- 
house ; but this not being agreeable, he came up to the Tree 
and declared as follows : 

Whereas a Declaration znas yesterday inserted in mj name and at my desire, in some of the 
Boston neu-'spapers, that I a:ouZ<i not act as disti-ifmtor of the Stamps, ^-ithin this Province, 
■sohich declaration, I ctsi informed, is net satisfactory : 

I do hereby in the most explicit and unreserved Planner declare, that I have never taken 
any measures, ia consequence of my deputation for that purpose, to act in the office ; and 
that I never will, directly or indirectly, by myself or any under me, make use of the said 
deputation, or take any measures for enforcic j the Stamp-Act in America, which is so grie- 
vous to the people. Andrew Oliver. 

Boston, 17 Dec. 1765. 

Sicffiili, ss. Boston, Dec. 17th, X765. 

The Honourable Andrew Oliver, Esij. subscriber to the above writing, made oath to the 
fame. (Signed) Ri. Dana, Just. Pacts. 

After which three cheers were given, and then Mr. Secretary made a short speech to the 
fuUowing purport, viz. '^ That he had an utter detestation of the Stamp-Act, and would do 
all that lay in his power to serve this town or province 3 and desired that they would no 
longer look on him as an enemy, but as another man." After which three cheers were 
again given him — and Hanover Square was clear ia 10 minutes. 

It is by no means to be inferred, from the pertinacity with 
which the people of Boston pursued Mr. Oliver, to compel 
him to a resignation in their own way, that he was a man of 
vile or mean character. On the contrary, Dr. Eliot's Biogra- 
phy tells us, ' he was highly respectable for his piety, integ- 
rity, and knowledge of the affairs of the province.' But it 
was his misfortune to differ from the majority ; and we may 
gather, from the zeal with which the majority could crowd 
upon such a man, some notion of the height to which popular 
excitement had reached. 

The courts of law continuing closed, a memorial was pre- 
sented, Dec. 18th, to the Governour in Council, from the 
town of Boston, urging him to exert his influence, 'that under 
no pretence whatever, we may be any longer deprived of this 
invaluable blessing.' The committee to present the memorial 
34 



266 HISTORY OF koston. 

were S. Adams, John Rowc, Th. Gushing, J. Ruddock, SamL 
Scvvall, John Hancock, J. Ilenshavv, B. Kent, and Arnold 
Welles. At the same time, Jer. Gridley, James Otis, and 
John Adams, were ' applied to as counsel to appear in behalf 
of the town in support of said memorial.' I'he result of the 
memorial wlis not immediately satisfactory ; but the courts 
were opened shortly after. 

Liberty Tree became a sort of idol. On the 14th of Feb- 
ruary, 1766, ' it was pruned after the best manner, agreeable 
to a vote passed by the true-born Sons of Liberty,' by a num- 
ber of carpenters appointed for the purpose, and a gentleman 
Avell skilled in these allairs as a director. So that the Tree 
■\vas now become a great ornament to the street. Thursday 
the 20(h was fixed for burning one of the stamped papers in 
the principal towns in every colon3^ In Boston, the ceremo- 
ny ' was conducted with great decency and good order,' and 
the eifigics of Bute and Grenville, in full court dress, were ad- 
ded to the bontirr. On the 24th a vessel arrived from Ja- 
maica with stamped clearances. The Sons of Liberty imme- 
diately sent an order to one of their memljcrs ' to go and 
demand in their names, those marks of Creole slavery.' 
' Whereupon the person to whom the above was directed, 
with a number of others, immediately on the receipt thereof, 
repaired to the vessel, and being told the captain was gone 
to enter at the Custom-house, they proceeded thither ; w hen 
the above warrant being shown, the said stamped clearance 
was delivered to them ; they then fixed it on a pole, and car- 
ried it to the lower end of the Court-house, where they put 
the pole in the stocks and exposed the paper to publick view 
until the time appointed for execution. At one o'clock the 
warrant was read with an audible voice, the execution- 
er then carried the guilty criminal to the centre of King- 
street, and with a lighted match scl fire to one of the S — p- 
A — ts, and with .that burnt the ofispring of that hydra-headed 
monster ; while the smoke was ascending, the executioner pro- 
nounced the following words, viz. — " Behold the smoke as- 
cends to Heaven, to witness between the isle of Britain and 
an injured people !"' Three cheers were then given, and the 
'Change was clear in a few minutes, without the least disorder.' 

The tone of the writers in the publick journals became 
more decidcil. In the B. Gazette, March 17th, we find one 
exclaiming, ' Since the stamp act imposed upon us is uncon- 
stitutional, shall we not then all as one man join in opposing 
it, and spill the last ilrop of our blood, if necessity shoulil 
rcfjuire, rather than live to see it take place in America !' — 
This is the lirst intimation we have discovered, of any thing 
like the possibility of an appeal to arms : and tlic author, that 
his views may not be misunderstood, proceeds. ' any one, af- 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 367 

ter a thorough search and consideration, would, rather than 
lose his liberty, be bored through the centre of life with the 
fatal lead.' 

Happily the change of ministry was then about producing 
a change of measures, which served to avert that crisis till a 
more favourable season. Information was received in Boston 
on the 16th of May, that the Stamp Act was repealed. It 
is impossible to express the joy the inhabitants in general 
were in, on receiving this great and glorious news. The bells 
were immediately set a I'inging, and the cannon fired under 
Ijiberty Tree and many other parts of the town. It is men- 
tioned, as ' worthy of remark, that the vessel which brought 
this glorious news is owned by that worthy patriot, John 
Hancock esq.'* Monday the 19th was appointed for a day 
of general rejoicing on the happy occasion. The ardour ot 
the people was so great, that, immediately after the clock 
struck one in the morning, the bell of Dr. Byles's church (as 
being the nearest to Liberty Tree) was set a ringing, which 
was soon answered by the bells on Christ Church, at the 
other end of the town. Before two, rausick was heard in all 
the streets, the drums beat and guns fired. As soon as it 
grew light enough to see, Dr. Byles's steeple was hung with 
banners. Liberty Tree decorated with flags, and colours and 
pendants displayed on the tops of houses all round the town. 
In the evening the town was universally illuminated and 
shone like day : fire works were every where pla3'ed off, 
especially on the Common : the air was filled with rockets, 
the ground with bee-hives and serpents. Mr. Hancock gave a 
grand and elegant entertainment to the genteel part of the 
town, and treated the ]:)opubce with a pipe of Madeira wine. 
Mr. Otis and some other gentlemen, who lived near the com- 
mon, kept open house. On the common the sons of liberty 
had a magnificent pyramid erected, illuminated with 280 
lamps. About twelve o'clock, upon a signal given and the beat 
of a drum, the populace retired to their respective dwellings, 
the lights were put out, and the town was hushed in an unusual 
silence. The evening following, all the gentlemen in the town 
contributed lanterns to illuminate Liberty Tree, till the 
boughs could hold no more, which made a most beautiful and 
splendid appearance. These well conducted rejoicings were 
ushered in, with a subscription for liberating all the poor per- 
sons in gaol for debt, by which the money was raised, and 
the debtors were released, to partake of the joy that smiled in 
every countenance. 



* Otis, Cusliing, Adnms, and Hancock constituted the Boston delegation in 1766. Mf. H. 
was cbosen instead of Tliomas Graj-, who supplied the place oC Tyler, chosen into the couiV' 
ci! in 176 1, served also in '65, and this year resigned. 



268 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The ministers of religion bore tlicir part in these joyful 
scenes; the sermons of Mr. Stillman of the Baptist church, 
Dr. May hew of the West, and Dr. Chauncy of the First 
Church were printed. That of the first was preached on the 
sabbath after the arrival of the news, Dr. Mayhew's on the 
Friday succeeding, and Dr. Chauncy's on a day of thanksgiv- 
ing, set apart for llic purpose. 



CHAPTER XLVll. 

We do say then to Caesar, 
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius, which 
Ordain'd our laws, whose use the sw-ord of Ca:sar 
Hath too much mangled ; whose repair and franchise 
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed. 

C'^ni6c/i)if. 

Notwithstanding those expressions of universal exultation, 
the pubiick mind was not entirely appeased. Gov. Bernard 
was suspected of having promoted the stamp act and other of- 
fensive measures, though he formally disavowed having had 
any agency in the business. The House of representatives, 
at the General Election, May 23, 17G6. made choice of Mr. 
Otis of Boston for their speaker. His Excellency saw prop- 
er to disapprove the choice, and Mr. Gushing of Boston was 
elected in his stead. Samuel Adams was at the same time 
chosen clerk. This act of the Governour may have been 
the result of sound discretion ; but it served to exasperate 
the feelings of the House, and they retaliated by leaving out 
of the list of counsellors, the Lieut. Governour, the Secretar}'" 
A. Oliver, Judge Peter Oliver, and the Attorney-General 
Trowbridge, who all had seats at the board in the jjreceding 
year. Thus the spirit of division was reciprocally fomented. 
On the 2d of June, a scries of pieces, signed Paskai.os, was 
commenced in the Boston Gazette, against the Governour, in 
which his conduct is represented as mean, cowardlj-, and ut- 
terly unworthy of his station, and strong intimations are given 
that the people would be glad to see some other person in 
the chair. 

The events of the past year were kept in remembrance by 
a demand from the ministry, (hat compinsation should be 
made to thoso who had sullered by the riotous proceedings ol 
the Mill and 2Clh ol' August. The demand was brought for- 
ward in an oflVnsive form, but was eventuallj' complied with. 
Another thing, which also kept alive the fears of ihc patriots 



HISTORT or BOSTON. 269 

u'as the resolve of parliament, that accompanied the repeal of 
the stamp act, viz. ' that Parliament had, hath, and of right 
ought to have full power and authority to make laws of suth- 
cient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of 
America, subject to the crown of G. B. in all cases whatever.' 
Against this claim, the writers of the day did not hesitate to 
declare that ' opposition ought to be made.' 

On the 25th of November, ' a large transport ship, having 
on board a detachment of H. M. Royal train of artillery 
bound to Quebec, after making many attempts to get up the 
river in vain, was obliged to put in here.' The Gov. made 
provision for them, in pursuance of the late act of parliament, 
the mutiny act. On the 30th of Jan. 1767, the H. of R. beg- 
ged to be informed, whether this had been done at the ex- 
pense of this government ; and on learning that it was so, re- 
monstrated in the strongest terms against the proceeding, as 
an open violation of constitutional and charter rights. On 
the 28th of ]May following, twenty-seven recruits were brought 
in, and the lieutenant, who had charge of them, called tor 
quarters. The Gov. referred the matter to the Council, and 
they advised him to submit it to the consideration of the 
House, and the house ' resolved, that such provision be made 
for these men as has been heretofore usually made for II. M. 
regular troops, when occasionally in this province.' 

About the last of July an unexpected change took place in 
the ministry, and, a short time after, the chancellor of the 
exchequer (Charles Townsend) moved in the H. of Commons 
to impose duties on tea, glass, and colours, imported from En- 
gland into America : he proposed also to suppress the duties 
on teas, that should be shipped from E. for A. and impose a 
duty of three pence per pound upon their introduction into the 
American ports. These two bills were passed without much op- 
position, and approved by the king. In the preamble, it was 
declared that the produce of the duties should be applied to de- 
fray the expenses of the government in Anierica. It was also 
enacted that the ministry might, fi'om this fund, grant stipends 
and salaries to the governours and to the judges in the colo- 
nies, and determine the amount of the same. The act was to 
fake effect on the 20th of November, but, as if it was appre- 
hended that the new tax would be too well received by the 
colonists, and purposely to irritate their minds, by placing be- 
fore their eyes the picture of the tax-gatherers to be employ- 
ed in the collection of these duties, another act was passed 
creating a permanent administration of the customs in Amer- 
ica. AikI to crown the whole, the town of Boston was selec- 
ted for the seat of this new establishment. 

On the 2Sth of October a town meeting was held, at which 
?»Jr. Otis was chosen moderator ; and a written address to the 



270 HISTOUY OF UOSTOJf. 

inhabitants, subscribed Philo Palrkc, recommending economy 
and manufactures, being read, the town took into considera- 
tion the petition of a number of inhabitants, ' that some effec- 
tual measures might be agreed upon to promote industry, 
economy, and manufactures : thereby to prevent the unneces- 
sary importation of Eui'opcan commodities, which threaten 
the country ^^ith ])0verty and ruin.' Messrs. Jo/i?i Rowe^ Wm. 
Grceulcaf, Melaliah Bourne, Sani'l Austin, Edw. Payne. Edm, 
Quincy, tertius, John Ruddock, Jona. Williams, Josh. Henshazo^ 
Hend. Inches, Solo. Davis, Joshua JVinslorv, and Thos. Cushing, 
were appointed a committee to prepare a subscription paper, 
for the above oljjcct. Accordingly, they brought forward a 
form, in which the signers agree ' to cncoui'age the use and 
consumption of all articles manufactured in any of the British 
Amer. colonies and more especiall}^ in this province, and not 
to purchase, after the 31st of Dec. next, any of certain enu- 
merated articles, imported from abroad ; and also strictly to 
adhere to the late regulation respecting funerals, and not to 
use any gloves, but what arc manufactured here, nor procure 
any new garments upon such an occasion, but what shall be 
absolutely necessary.' Copies of these articles were direct- 
ed to every town in this province, and to all the other princi- 
pal towns in America, where they were generally approved 
and adopted. 

In November, AVm. Burch and Ilcnry Hullon, csqrs. two of 
the five commissioners of the customs, arrived in Boston.* 
On the 11th of Feb. 17G8, the House of Representatives ad- 
dressed a circular to the speakers of other houses on the con- 
tinent, in which, among other complaints of the acts for rais- 
ing a revenue, they enumerate the commission of these men, 
as a grievance which may become dangerous to the liberty 
of the people. ' On the 18th of March, being the anniversa- 
ry of the repeal of the stamp act, and observed as a day of 
rejoicing, a few disorderly persons, mostly Ijoys, assembled 
in the evening, paraded some of the streets, and finally repair- 
ed to the house of John W illiams, esq. the inspector-general. 
Whether their design was to do him an injury or not, by his 
address and soft treatment of them, together with the inter- 
position of some of the neighbouring householders, they soon 
retired and dispersed without doing any mischief at all." 

An occurrence of more importance took place on Friday, 
the 10th of June- 'lowards evening the officers of the cus- 
toms made a seizure of a sloop, belonging to and l^'ing at the 
wharf of John Hancock. The vessel was improvetl for the 



• A wriior in Sup. to D. Ga^.. Dec. 'JS, 17ii7, exuUs thai ' tbc irump u( /•tedom o;irf iiuU 
jieiidenrt sound' n^iiiii tlironglioui lliis cuiitiiionl.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTOIf. 271 

purpose of storing some barrels of oil, for which there was 
not room in the owner's stores.* One of the officers immedi- 
ately made a signal to H. M. ship Romney, Capt. Corner, 
then lying in the stream, upon which her boats were manned 
and armed and made towards the wharf. Several gentlemen 
present advised the officers not to move the sloop, as there 
would be no attempt allowed by the owner to rescue her out 
of their hands : but notwidistanding this declaration, her fast 
was cut away, and she carried under the guns of the Rom- 
ney. This provoked the people who had collected on the 
shore, and in the dispute, the collector (Harrison), and comp- 
troller, and the collector's son, were roughly used and pelted 
with stones. The noise brought together a mixed multitude, 
who followed up to the comjitroller's house and broke some 
of his windows, but Avithdrew by the advice of some prudent 
gentlemen that interposed. 

By this time they were joined by a party of sailors and 
vagrants, who were suspicious of an intention to impress them 
on board the ship. These went in search of one of the man- 
of-war's boats, and in their way met the inspector (Irvine) : 
him they attacked, broke his sword, and tore his clothes ; but 
by some assistance he escaped to a house in King-st. No 
boat being ashore, between 8 and 9 o'clock they went to one 
of the docks, and dragged out a large pleasure boat, belong- 
ing to the collector : this they drew along the street, with 
loud huzzaing all the way into the Common, where they set 
fire to it and burnt it to ashes : they also broke several win- 
dows in the houses of the collector and inspector-general 
(Williams) which were nigh the Common. No other outrage 
was committed that night. 

Several instances of impressment had occurred under ag- 
gravated circumstances, and one was even attempted and ex- 
ecuted on the Saturday following the above. These things, 
added to the prospect that the trade and business of the town 
was in a manner ruined, raised such a spirit of resentment in 
the people, that the commissioners and their officers, with the 
collector and comptroller, thought it most prudent to repair on 
board the Romney, as did also the officers of that ship. 

On Monday the people in town were in great agitation, but 
lest any tumult might arise at night, a notification was issued 
requesting the Sons of Liberty to meet at Liberty-Hall, on 
Tuesday, at 10 A. M. The expectation of this meeting kept 
the town in peace. Early on Tuesday morn the colours were 



* On the 17th of Aug. the Judge of AdiiiiiaUy ' decreed the sloop Liberty, seized the lOlh 
of June last, to be forfeited ; but the 200 barrels of oil and six barrels of tar, wBiri, 
were on board her when seized, were cleared.' B. Chron. Aug-. 22.-Sept. 13. 



27i2 lllSTOllY Ot liOSTOxV. 

flying on Liberty Tree, and, at the hour appoinlcci, vast 
numbers of the inhabitants appeared ; but the weather being 
wet and uncomfortable in the street, they adjourned to Fan- 
cuil-iiail, where it was proposed to have a legal meeting 
called, which was immediately ordered by the selectmen to 
take place at 3 o'clock. At three, the inhabitants met, but 
so great was the concourse, that they were obliged to adjoui'n 
to the Old South meeting-house. After very cool and delib- 
erate debates upon the distressed circumstances of the town, 
a petition to the Governour was unanimously adopted, and a 
committee of 21 gentlemen appointed to present it. In this 
petition the town took a bolder stand than any publick assem- 
bly here had before taken. Having commenced with a strong 
declai-ation of rights and injuries, they saj', 

' The town is at this crisis in a situation, nearly such as if 
war was formally declared against it. To contend with our 
parent state is in our idea the most shocking and dreadful ex- 
tremity : but tamely to relinquish the only security, we and 
our posterity retain of the enjoyment of our lives and proper- 
tics, without one struggle, is so humiliating and base, that we 
cannot support the rellection. We apprehend, Sir, that it is 
at your option, in your power, and we would hope in your 
inclination, to prevent this distressed and justly incensed peo- 
ple /"/-om eff'eclins; too much, and from the sjiatne and reproach of 
attcmptinft too little.'' 

The Governour received the deputation graciously, but re- 
})lied to their petition to have the llomney ordered out of the 
harbour, that he had no authority ovei- 11. M.'s ships. Capt. 
Corner, however, gave publick notice on the 20th, that he 
would not take any man belonging to or married in the 
province, nor any employed in the trade along shore, or to 
the neighbouring colonies. The legislature being in session, 
the town gave instructions to their representatives, in terms 
c(|ually strong with those expressed in the above petition : 
but they had little opjiortiuiity to act in conformity to them : 
for on the Ih'st of July, the House was dissolved by the Gov- 
ernour, in consecjuence of a refusal to rescind and disavow 
their circular letter of Feb. llth, in compliance with the or- 
ders of the British ministry. 

On the first of August, 21 1 Boston merchants and traders 
agreed, that, for one year from the last day of the present 
year, they would not send for or import, either on their own 
account or on commission, or purchase of any that may im- 
port, any kind of merchandise from G. B. except coals, salt, 
and some articles necessai-y for the fisheries, nor import any 
tea, glass, paper, or colours, until the acts imposiyig duties 
on those articles are repealed. In that month also, another 
dillicult)' occurred between some of the town's people and the 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 273 

crew of the Romney, in which the former gained their point 
and compelled the man-of-war's men to quit the wharf, which 
they did in great fury. On the 14th, a large company cele- 
brated the anniversary of the first opposition to the stamp act 
at the Tree of Liberty. 

The combination of all these proceedings on the part of 
the people of Boston, furnished Gen. Thomas Gage, who was 
commander of the military forces in North America, with a 
sufficient pretence for sending a portion of regular troops into 
Boston. His intentions to do so became generally known in 
July, but nothing certain was determined until September. 
On the 12th of that month, a town meeting was held on the 
subject in Faneuil-Hall. The meeting was opened with pray- 
er by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper, of Brattle-street church. 
Mr. Otis was chosen moderator, and Messrs. T. Gushing, 
S un'I Adams, Richard Dana, John Rowe, John Hancock, 
Benja. Kent, and Dr. Joseph Warren, were appointed to wait 
on His Ex. and humbly request him to communicate the rea- 
sons on which he supposed troops would be ordered here. A 
committee was also appointed to request him forthwith to issue 
precepts for a general assembly. H. E. replied, that his in- 
formation respecting the troops was only of a private nature, 
and that the business of calling another Assembly was before 
the king, and H. E. could do nothing in it without H. M.'s 
commands. 

But it did not please the town of Boston to wait for His 
Majesty's detern)ination. They met again on the next day, and 
among other things* resolved to choose ' a suitable number of 
persons to act for them as a committee in convention, with such 
as may be sent to join them from the several towns in this 
province, in order that such measures may be consulted and 
advised as H. M.'s service, and the peace and safety of his 
subjects in the province may require.' A circular was forth- 
with addressed to the several towns, and on Thursday the 
22d of September, upwards of seventy gentlemen appeared 
as committees from sixty-six towns, t besides districts. Messrs 
Otis, S. Adams, Hancock, and Gushing, were the members 
from Boston. Gushing was chosen chairman. Their debates 
and proceedings were open : and the first step was to prepare 
a petition to H. E. for the calling of a General Assembly. 
H. E. begged to be excused ' from receiving a message from 
that assembly, which is called a Goramittee of Gonvention, 



• One vote was, that ' as there is at this time a prevailing apprehension of approaching 
•war with France,' every inhabitant be requested to provide himself with ' a well fixed 
firelock, musket, accoutrements, and ammunition,' as the law requires. 

t The number afterwards increased to above 100 from 98 towns and districts. 

3.5 



274 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

for that would be to admit it to be a legal assembly, which I 
can by no means allow.' On the same day, H. E. sent a 
message, without a signature, declaring his opinion that this 
convention was to all intents and purposes ' an assembly of 
the representatives of the people,' and therefore, says he, ' I 
do earnestly admonish 30U, that, instantly and before you do 
any business, you break up this assembly and separate your- 
selves.' This message was by vote ordered to be returned to 
the sncrctary, and the next day it was sent with the signature 
of Fra. Bernard. On Saturday, the convention sent an an- 
swer, by w;iy of message, but H. E. refused to receive it. 
The convention continued their session every day till the 
29th. during which time they adopted a letter to be transmit- 
ted to Dennys De Berdt, the agent of the province, at London, 
an<l published ' a result of their conference and consultation,' 
in which they declared their allegiance to the king, their ab- 
horrence of riots, and their determination to yield all assist- 
ance to the civil magistrate towards suppressing them, and 
also declared their rights, by charter and by nature, and their 
humble dependence on their gracious sovereign, that their 
wrongs would be speedily redressed. 

It is probable, that the convention effected all that was de- 
sirable at that moment, and fortunate perhaps that they dis- 
persed so soon : Otherwise Gov. Bernard might have im- 
proved the opportunity, as he threatened, to '• assert the pre- 
rogative of the crown in a more publick manner.' For on 
the 28th of Sept. six of H. M.'s ships of war, from Halifax, 
came to anchor in Nantasket. ' On Friday, Sept. 30ih, 1768, 
the ships of war, armed schooners, transports, &,c. came up 
the harbour and anchored round the town ; their cannon 
loaded and springs on their cables, as for a regular siege. At 
noon on Saturday, Oct. 1, the 14th and 29th regiments, a de- 
tachment from the 59th, and train of artillery with two pieces 
of cannon, landed on the Long-wharf, then formed and 
marched with insolent parade, drums beatins:, fifes playing, 
and colours flying, up King-street : each soldier having re- 
ceived sixteen round of shot.'* 

During various disputes about quarters for the troops, the 
council maintaining that they were not obliged by law, in- 



' This quotation is from an engravinp of the scene, published by Paul Revcrp. The view 
embraces the from of the town from the Old South meeting-house to the North Tialtery 
Eight ships of war with tenders are seen lying otT the wharves ; the Red coats landing on 
the S. side of Long-whf : and a truck placed about niidwny, under guard, to prevent the peo- 
ple passing down. It it dedicated thus : ' To the Earl of Hitliborough, H. M.'t serrtlary of 
ttatt for America, this vinu of the only uell-planned exfjedition, forvuH for supporting the 
dignity of Britain aiu/ chartiiing the insoleiice of America, is hvmbly inscribed.^ 



HISTORY OF BOSTON". 275 

deed that they were forbidden by law, to quarter them in 
the town, while the barracks at the Castle were not filled, 
some of them were lodged in the Town-house, some in Faneuil- 
hall, and some in stores at Griffin's wharf : and the town was 
afflicted with all the appearance and inconveniences of a gar- 
risoned place. 

It was about this time that the luxury of Tea became pro- 
scribed. In Boston 200 families had agreed to abstain en- 
tirely from the use of it, by the 6th of October : other towns 
followed the example, and entered into similar agreements ; 
the students of Harvard College are highly applauded for 
resolving, ' with a spirit becoming Americans, to use no more 
of that pernicious herb,' and ' a gentleman in town, finding it 
very little in demand, shipped ofi'a considerable quantity of 
the despised article.' 

' Amusements that would have been at other times innocent 
and congenial, were now foregone : especially if they were 
to be partaken with those, who were held to be the instru- 
ments of despotism. A striking example was given, the win- 
ter after the British troops arrived. Some of the crown offi- 
cers, who thought the publick gloom disloyal, circulated a 
proposal for a regular series of dancing assemblies, with the 
insidious design of engaging the higher classes in fashionable 
festivity, to falsify the assertions of the prevailing distress, 
and also to undermine the stern reserve, that was maintained 
towards the army, and thereby allay the indignation against 
the system, which they were sent to enforce. But, out of the 
contracted limits of their own circle, they could not obtain 
the presence of any ladies. Elegant manners, gay uniforms, 
animating bands of musick, the natural impulse of youth, all 
were resisted : the women of Boston refused to join in osten- 
tatious gaiety, while their country was in mourning.' * 



CHAPTER XLVm. 

Remember March ! the ides of March remember. 



Shakspeare. 



' On Monday, the 30th of January, 1769, at about half af- 
ter 10 o'clock at night, the people adjoining to the gaol were 



* News-letter, Nov. 10. ' Several transports arrived here this morning from Cork, bav- 
in g on board part of the 64th and 65th regiments : the remainder are not yet in.' 

' We hear, the Honourable the Commissioners of Customs leave Castle William this week- 
PreparaUons are making to hold their board in town, [at Concert-Hall,] as heretofore.' 



276 IllSiOUk OV BOSTON. 

alarmed by the prisoners crying Fire ! on which the keeper 
and a number of persons ran there, and found part of the in- 
side in a blaze. It was some time before the prisoners 
could be got out, the inner keys being lost in the confusion, 
and the wooden work being so strongly bound with iron, that 
it was difficult to cut through the doors and partitions. Capt. 
Wilson of the 59th rcg. was particularly active in extricating 
them. It was expected the fire would be kept under, but the 
great quantity of inside timber work, occasioned it to rage 
with great violence, and the flames burst through the windows 
and reached the roof, which after bui-ning some hours fell in : 
the wood work burnt all night, and in the morning nothing 
remained but the bare stone walls. During the continuance 
of the fire, the town's people behaved with their usual alac- 
rity ; and many of the military were very active in assisting 
them ; the commodore was present, a number of officers and 
sailors were landed from the ships, and an engine was sent 
from the Romney. The commander of the main guard, with 
a party ofiered their service on the first alarm, which was dc 
clined ; but they were afterwards sent for and took charge of 
some of the prisoners.' This is the only good deed we have 
found attributed to the regular soldiers. 

It was generally understood in Boston, that the occurrences 
in the town, for some time past, had been repi-escnted at home 
in an unfavourable light: the selectmen* thought it their duty 
to call upon Governour Bernard, in behalf of the town, to 
communicate to them such representations of facts as he had 
sent to England ; and at the annual meeting in March, the 
town addressed the king in a most dutiful and loyal petition, 
setting forth their grievances, and in the most affecting strains 
begging his royal protection, against their revilcrs and op- 
pressors. 

When the time for the annual choice of representatives 
came round, the selectmen waited on Gen. IMacka}^ who com- 
manded the troops in town, with the recjucst that he would or- 
der them out of the town on the day of cleciion. The Gene- 
ral declared that it was not in his power, but engaged to con- 
fine them within their barracks. The town met on the 5th 
of May, and before proceeding to business, entered upon their 
records a declaration of their rights, and a protest '■ (hat their 
proceeding to an election under such circumstances, is wholly 
from necessity, and not to be considered as a precedent at any 
time hereafter, or construed as a voluntary receding from the 
incontestible rights of British subjects and freeholders on so 



* Jo»liua Heiihbaw, Jos. Jackson, J. Kuililock, J. Ilaucock, J. Rowe, Sainl. remliertnn^ 
II. Indict 



HISTOllY OF BOS ION. 277 

interesting an affair.' The next day, Messrs. Otis, Gushing, 
Adams, and Hancock, were chosen again; H. having 505, 
A. 503, C. and O. 502, out of 503 votes : a result that speaks 
strongly of the unaninriity of the town. 

When the legislature met, they refused to proceed to busi- 
ness in the Town-house, other than the choice of counsellors 
and officers, unless the fleet and army were removed from the 
town and harbour. After waiting a fortnight, the Governour 
adjourned them to Cambridge. There they passed votes of 
censure upon his conduct. They also passed a petition to 
the king for his removal, and on the day after (June 28.) he 
informed them that he was ordered to attend upon the king 
to lay before him the stale of the province. He left Boston, 
July 31, and Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson officiated in his stead. 

The occasions of controversy between the people and the 
servants of the crown were now almost as frequent as the occa- 
sions of intercourse, and every man felt himself interested in 
every occurrence that interested his neighbour. But the 
greatest excitement produced by any thing, that more particu- 
larly concerned an individual, arose fi-om an attack upon Mr. 
Otis. His name had been introduced, in anoftensive manner, 
in some paper of the commissioners of the customs, and he 
therefore advertised them by name, Henry Hulton, Charles 
Paxion, William Burch^ and John Bobinson, .^s no more worthy 
of credit than Sir Francis Bernard, of Nettleham, Baronet. 
' The next evening, (Sept. 5th.) about 7 o'lock, Mr. O. went 
to the British Coffee-house, [it was on the spot where the 
Massachusetts Bank now stands, in State-st.] where Mr. Rob- 
inson was sitting in company with a number of army, navy, 
and revenue officers. As soon as he came in, an altercation 
took place, which terminated in Robinson's striking Otis with 
a cane, which was returned with a weapon of the same kind. 
Great confusion then ensued. The lights were extinguished, 
and Otis, without a friend, was surrounded by the adherents 
of Robinson. A young man, by the name of John Gridley, 
passing by, very boldly entered the Coffee-house, to take the 
part of Otis against so many foes ; but he was also assaulted, 
beaten, and turned out of the house. After some time the 
combatants were separated ; Robinson retreated by a back 
passage, and Otis was led home wounded and bleeding. The 
animosity that existed towards the revenue officers, for their 
insolent and oppressive conduct, the sympathy and admira- 
tion that were cherished for the character, talents, and servi- 
ces of the leading patriot of his day, all conspired to give this 
transaction the odium of a scheme of assassination. Mr. O. 
instituted an action against Robinson, and obtained a verdict 
in his favour for £2,000 sterling damages. This sum he no- 



278 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

bly declined receiving, on a suitable apology from the de- 
fendant.* 

In January, 1770, the merchants renewed their agreement 
not to import British goods. They held several meetings in 
Faneuil-Hall, and appointed committees of inspection, who 
should examine into the truth of reports, concerning the un- 
faithfulness of some who had signed the articles. The names 
of several were reported, and ordered to be published. Lieut. 
Gov. Hutchinson sent a message to one of these meetings, by 
the sheriff, (whose name was Stephen Greenleaf,) ' enjoining 
and requiring them without delay to separate and disperse, 
and to forbear all such unlawful assemblies for the fu- 
ture.' After a calm consideration of the message, it was 
unanimously voted (o proceed : and a written answer 
was sent to His Honour, signifying their opinion that the 
meeting was warranted by law. 

Theophilus Lillie, who kept a shop near the New Brick 
meeting-house, was one of those denounced as Importers. On 
the 22d of February, some persons erected near Lillie's, a 
large wooden head, fixed on a pole, on which the faces of 
several importers wore carved. One Ebenezer Richardson 
living in the neighbourhood, (who had acquii-f^d ihe .ippella- 
tion oi Informer,) endeavoured to prr^uade souie teamsters from 
the country, to run the post down with their carts ; but 
they understanding the nature of the pageantry, would have 
nothing to do with it. Richardson foolishly persisted, and 
seized the bridle of the horses, but failed of his inlent to guide 
the team against the post. On this, the boys set up a shout, 
which being resented by Richardson, they pelied him with 
dirt till they drove him into his own house. The noise gath- 
ered a considerable number of people. Hard words passed 
between Richardson and some of the multiiudc ; stones were 
thrown on both sides, till at length Ixichardsun discharged a 
musket at random from his door, and another from his win- 
dow. One young man was severely injured, and a boy, 
Christopher Snider, about eleven years of age, received a 
mortal wound in his breast. Upon this the bells were set to 
ringing, and a vast concourse of people drawn together. 
Richardson, and one Wilmot, a seaman, who had taken his 
part in the affray, were secured and carried to Faneuil-Hall, 
where they underwent an examination and were committed 
for trial. 

The boy died in the course of the evening, and was remo- 
ved to his parents' house in Frog-lane [Boylston-st.] All the 
friends of liberty were invited to attend the funeral ' of this 

• Tudor, p. 3ti2— In October, 1769, ihe town published an Appeal to tlie World, or Vindi- 
cation of Boston, from the aspersions of Uernard and others. 



HISTORY or BOSTOJV. 279 

little hero and first martyr to the noble cause.' This innocent 
lad was announced as ' the first whose life had been a victim 
to the cruelty and rage of oppressors. Young as he was, he 
died in his country's cause, by the hand of one, directed by 
others, who could not bear to see the enemies of America 
made the ridicule of boys.' On Monday, the 26th, his funeral 
took place. The little corpse was set down under the Tree 
of Liberty, from which the procession began. The coffin bore 
inscriptions appropriate to the times ; on the foot ' Latet an- 
guis in herba :'' on each side, '' Flacret lateri lethalis anmdo :'' 
and on the head, '■ Innocentia nusquam tuta.'' Four or five hun- 
dred school boys, in couples, preceded the corpse; six of the 
lad's playfellows supported the pail ; the relatives followed, 
and after them a train of 1300 inhabitants on foot, and thirty 
chariots and chaises closed the procession. 

A more imposing spectacle than this could hardly have 
been contrived, or one better adapted to produce a lasting 
impression on the hearts of the beholders: but it was only 
the prelude to a scene of far greater horrour. The morning 
papers of Mondaj', the fifth of March, which told of this trans- 
action, gave also several accounts of quarrels between the sol- 
diers and different individuals belonging to the town. The 
officers were apprehensive of difficulties, and were particular- 
ly active in their endeavours to jjet all their men into their 
barracks before night. Murray^s Barracks, so called, where 
the 14th regiment was principally quartered, were in Brattle- 
street, in the buildings directly opposite the little alley, which 
leads from the bottom of Market-street. The 29th regt. was 
quartered in Water-street and in Atkinson-street. As a meas- 
ure of precaution, there was a sentinel stationed in the alley 
before mentioned, (then called Boylston's alley) and this very 
circumstance led to the quarrel which terminated in the 
Boston Massacre. Three or four young men, who were dispos- 
ed to go through the alley, about nine o'clock, observed the 
sentinel brandishing his sword against the walls and striking 
fire for his own amusement. They offered to pass him and 
were challenged, but persisted in their attempt, and one of 
ihem received a slight wound on his head. The bustle of 
this rencontre drew together all those who were passing by, 
and fifteen or twenty persons thronged the alley, and thirty 
or forty more, gathered in Dock-sq<nre. were attpmpting lo 
force their way to the barracks through Brattle-strret, (which 
was at that time so narrow that a carriage could with difficulty 
pass.) Being foiled in this attempt, the party, which was con- 
tinually increased by accessions, gathered in Dock-square 
round a tall man with a red cloak and while wig. to whom 
they listened with close attention two or three minutes, and 
then gave three cheers and huzzaed for the main guard. 



280 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The main guard was regularly stationed near the head of 
State-street, directly opposite the door on the south side of 
the Town-house. To this place all the soldiers detached for 
guard duty were daily brought, and from thence marched to 
the particular posts assigned them. On this day the com- 
mand of the guard had devolved on Capt. Thomas Preston, 
and Lt. Basset under him. 

As the parly dispersed from Dock-square, some ran up 
Cornhill, others up Wilson's lane, others vp Royal Exchange 
lane (now Exchange street.) These last found a single senti- 
nel stationed before the door of the Custom house, which was 
the building now occupied by the Union Bank, and then 
made one corner of that lane, as the Royal Exchange tavern 
did the other. As the sentinel was approached, he retreated 
to the steps of the house, and alarmed the inmates by three or 
four poweiful knocks at the door. Word was sent to Lt. Bas- 
sctt that the sentinel was attacked by the town's people. He 
immediately sent a message to his captain, who instantly re- 
paired to the guard house, where Lt. Basset informed him 
that he had Just ser.t a serJeant and six men to assist the 
sentry at the Custom house. ' Well,' said (he captain, ' I will 
follow them and see they do no mischief.' ile overtook them 
before they reachod the Custom house, where they joined 
the sentinel and formed a half ciiTJe round the steps. 

By this time the bells were set to ringing, and people flock- 
ed from all (juarters, supposing there was tire. The soldiers 
were soon surrounded; many of those nearest to them were 
armed with clubs and crowded close upon them ; those at a 
distance began to throw sticks of wood and snow-balls and 
pieces of ice at them, while from all sides they were challeng- 
ed to Fire, fire if you dare. At last they thought they heard 
the order given, and they did Hre in succession from right to 
left. Two or three of the guns flashed, but the rest were 
fatal. Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, and James Caldwell 
were killed on the spot, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr 
received mortal wounds, of which the former died the next 
morning, and Carr on the Wednesday of the next week. 
Several other persons were more or less injured: the greater 
part, persons passing by chance or cjuiet spectators of the 
scene. The people instantly retreated, leaving the three un- 
happy men on the ground. All this transpired within 20 
minutes from the time of Capt. Preston's joining the guard. 

' On the people's assembling again,' says Capt. P. ' to take 
away the dead bodies, the soldiers, sufiposing them coming to 
attack them, were making ready to fire again — which I pre- 
vented by striking up their firelocks with my hand. Immedi- 
ately after, a townsman came and told me that 4 or ^jOGO people 
were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my 



t=; 



t| 



1^ 






bs 




HISTORY OF BOSTON. 281 

Jit'e with every man's with me ; on which I judf^ed it unsafe 
to remain there any longer, and therefore sent the parly and 
sentry to the main guards where the street is narrow and 
short, then telHng them off into street firings, divided and 
planted them at each end of the street to secure their rear, 
expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhab- 
itants, ' To arms, to arms, turn out with your guns,' and the 
town drums beating to arms. 1 ordered my drum to beat to 
arms, and being soon after joined by the several companies 
of the 29th regiment, I formed them, as the guard, into street 
firings. The 14th regiment also got under arms, but remain- 
ed at their barracks. 1 immediately sent a serjeant with a 
party to Col. Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint 
him with every particular. Several officers going to join 
their regiment were knocked down by the mob, one very 
much wounded and his sword taken from him. The Lieut. 
Gov. and Col. Carr soon after met at the head of the 2'Jth 
regt. and agreed that the regiment should i-etire to their bar- 
racks, and the people to their houses : but I kept the piquet 
to strengthen the guard. It was with great difficulty that the 
Lieut. Gov. prevailed on the people to be quiet and retire : 
at last they all went off except about a hundred.' This hun- 
dred was cot7iposed of some of the most distinguished inhabi- 
tants, who volunteered to form a citizens' guard. 

A justices' court was forthwith held, and Capt. Preston 
surrendered himself, and was committed to prison at three, the 
next morning : the eight soldiers also were committed early 
in the forenoon. 

At eleven o'clock a town meeting was held. Various per- 
sons related to the assembly, what they had witnessed of the 
events of the preceding day. A committee of fifteen was ap- 
pointed to wait on the Lieut. Governour and Col. Dalrymple, 
and express to them the sentiment of the town, that it was 
impossible for the soldiers and inhabitants to live in safety to- 
gether, and their fervent prayer for the immediate removal of 
the former. The answer received to this application was not 
such as was wished ; and in the afternoon, seven of the first 
committee (viz. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Wm. Moli- 
neux, Wm. Phillips, Jos. Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and 
Samuel Pemberton) were again deputed with the following 
message : ' It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that 
the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants presented His 
Honour, this morning, is by no means satisfactory ; and that 
nothing less will satisfy them, than a total and immediate re- 
moval of the troops.' Samuel Adams acted as ' chairman of 
this delegation, and discharged its duties with an ability com- 
mensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was bv the side 
36 



282 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

of Hutchinson, who at the head of the Council received them. 
He at first denied that he had power to grant the request. 
Adams plainly, in few words, proved to him that he had the 
power by the charter. Hutchinson then consulted with Dal- 
rymple in a whisper, the result of which was, a repetition of 
the otlcr to remove one of the regiments, the 14th, which had 
had no part in the massacre. At that critical moment Adams 
showed the most admirable presence of mind. Seeming not 
to represent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he stretch- 
ed forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the strength of thou- 
sands, and with unhesitating promptness and dignified firm- 
ness replied, '' If the Lientenanl-Govcmmir, or Colonel Dal- 
rymple, or both together^ have authority to remove one regi- 
ment^ they have authority to remove tioo : and nothing short 
of the total evacuation of the town, by all the regular troops, 
will satisfy the publick mind or preserve the peace of the prov- 
ince.^^ The officers, civil and militar}', were in reality abash- 
ed, before this plain committee of a democratick assembly. 
They knew the imminent danger that impended : the very 
air was filled with the breathings of compressed indignation. 
They shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance, 
which they had hilherio maintained. Their reliance on a 
standing army faltered before the undaunted, irresistible reso- 
lution of free unarmed citizens.' 

Hutchinson consulted the Council, and they gave him their 
unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of the 
town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of 
honour, that the demand of the town should be complied 
with, as soon as practicable ; and both regiments were remo- 
ved to the Castle in less than fourteen da3'^s. 

The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 
8th, brought together the greatest concourse, that probably 
had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attucks, 
who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a 
stranger, were borne from Faneuil-Hall ; Maverick, who was 
about 17 years old, from his mother's house in Union-street, 
and Cray from his f)rothcr's in Ko^-al Exchange lane. 
The four hearses foi-med a junction in King-street, and thence 
the procession marched in columns of six deep through the 
mainstreet to the middle burial ground, where the four victims 
were deposited in one sgrave. 

The trial of Richardon and AVilmot for the murder of 
Snider came on in April. AVilmot was cleared, but ]\ichard- 
son was brought in guilty of murder. The Lieut. (Jov. con- 
sidered it so clear a case of justiliable manslaughter, that he 
refused to sign the warrant for his execution, and after two 



HISTOUT OF BOSTON. 283 

years' confinement, he was ultimately pardoned by the 
king.* 

The traders and people had generally adhered in good 
faith to the agreement not to import or use imported goods. 
In the session of parliament this spring, a proposition was 
sustained for repealing the duties on all the articles except 
tea. Some London traders, supposing this would break up 
the compact, ventured to send quantities of the proscribed 
merchandize, and it arrived in (he latter part of April.! There 
xvas no willingness in Boston to admit of a compromise. On 
the first intimation of the design of the ministry, new resolu- 
tions had been formed, and agreements signed by the ladies 
throughout the town, that they would drink no more of the 
obnoxious beverage (except in case of sickness) until all the 
acts were repealed. There was some tea in the cargoes that 
had just arrived, and nothing would satisfy the publick mind 
short of its all being returned. Mr. Hancock offered one of 
of his vessels, freight [vee, for the purpose, and she was load- 
ed with great despatch and arrived safe in London, to the 
amazement and chagrin of those concerned in the consignment. 

At the time of the May election, the health of Mr. Otis had 
so far declined, in consequence of the injury he had receiv- 
ed, and of the constant excitement, which his devotion to pub- 
lick business had occasioned, that the town was therefore 
obliged to dispense with his services in the General Court, 
this year, and elected in his stead the Hon. James Bowdoin. 
This gentleman was a descendant of the French Protestants, 
and inherited from his father a large estate, to wliich he did 
honour by his talents, his sound principles, and generous 
views. He had represented the town three years, previous 
to 1756, when he was chosen into the council, where he re- 
tained a seat till Gov. Bernard negatived him in 1769. At 
that board he had been a leading member, and ever stood in 
the front of opposition to what were considered the arbitrary'" 
measures of government. | 

The last Wednesday in May, 1770, exhibited a novel 
scene. The Court was ordered to meet at the College in 
Cambridge, and the Lieut. Gov. could not be persuaded to 
adjourn them to Boston. ' A number of gentlemen, friends to 
the rights of North America,' anticipating this state of things, 



* On the 18th of April, there was a Liberty Tree celebration ia honour of John Wilkes, 
Esq. 

t In six cargoes, there was about hnlf a common vessel's lading of various proscribed 
articles. B. Gaz. Ap. 23, and News Letter, Sept. 13, 1770. 

I Mr. Bowdoin was again chosen counsellor, and, unexpectedly, Mr. Hutchinson suffered 
him to go into that board Mr. John Adams was chosen to supply his place as a represeri 
tetiTe. 



284 IIISTOIIY OF BOSTO.V. 

made preparations for celebrating this annual festival of our 
fathers in its ancient seat, in the morning, the attention of 
people was atlr;^cted to the Common, by the roasting of an 
ox, which had been carried through the to^n, the day before, 
dressed with garlands of ribbons and flowers. Religious ser- 
vices were performed at noon : Mr. Samuel Mather, ' a wor- 
thy descendant of those christian patriots, Increase and 
Cotton.' made the prayers, and Dr. Chauncy, ' that inflexi- 
ble a>scrtor of our civil and religious rights,' preached the 
sermon. A dinner at Faneuil-Hall, and the distribution of 
the ox among the poor concluded the day. 

The melancholy result of the afl'ray at Lillie's did not deter 
the violent part of the town from attacking another of the 
Importers. Two or three brothers, by the name of M'Masters, 
kept shop in King-street, at the corner of l*udding-lane, (late 
Abiel Smith, esq.'s house,) where they made bold to sell teas 
or broadcloth to the tories, and arms and ammunition to 
the whigs, as best suited their interest. But their good servi- 
ces in the last did not screen them from vengeance for their 
off"ence in the first. Ot)e of them was taken on the J 9th of 
June, and carted, in the heat of the day, from the South-end, 
vith a bag of feathers and some tar in a barrel at his side, 
towards King-street, where it was intended to expose him to 
publick view, besmeared viih the one and coated with the 
other. But as he drew near to the spot, his colour forsook 
his lips, his eye sunk, and he was about to fall lifeless in the 
cart, when some gentlemen compassionated his case, so far as 
to beg permission to take him into a house. Cordials were 
exhibited, and M'Masters revived ; and on a solemn promise 
never to return, he was excused from ' this new-invented 
mode of punishment,' and carted, sitting in a chair, to the 
Roxbury line, where he was dismissed with hearty cheers. 

The trial of Capt. Preston and the soldiers seemed to be 
unnecessarily delayed, and some apprehensions were mur- 
mured, that they might be rescued by government from the 
hand of the law. In September, the Castle, which had hith- 
erto been in charge of a province garrison, was by order 
from England delivered by the Lieut. Gov. into the command 
of Col. l)alryn)ple, and the absence of troops from the town 
was compensated by the presence of six ships of war and 
two schooners in the harbour. At length the trial of Capt. 
Preston was commenced in October. He was defended with 
masterly ability, by John Adams and Josiah Quincy jr. csqrs,* 
who, to use the worils of Tudor, ' in so doing, gave a proof 
of that elevated genuine courage, which ennobles human na- 



• Asflsted hy Sanipioii Salter Blowers, e5(|. in tlie case of tbe ioldit-ry- 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 285 

ture. For leaders on the patriotick side, the attempt, while 
the publick were in a state of such high rxasprration, to de- 
fend an officer who was accused of murdering their fellow 
citizens, required an cllbrt of no ordinary mind : it was n)ade 
successfullj, and will even hold a distinguished rank among 
those causes that adorn the profession of the law ; in which 
a magnanimous, fearless advocate boldly espouses the side of 
the unfortunate, against the passions of the people, and haz- 
ards his own safety or fortune in the exertion.' Capt. P. was 
acquitted and discharged October 29th. 

'i'he soldiers were afterwards tried, and on the 8th of De- 
cember, six of them were found J\''ot Guilty, and the verdict 
against the other two, Matthew Killroy and Hugh Montgom- 
ery, was ' Not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.' 
These two were slightly branded, and all of them liberated 
and sent to the Castle. 

At this distance of time, we can look back and rejoice in 
this result, which was an honourable triumph of law and mer- 
cy over violence and revenge. But in that day of irritation 
there were many who believed the soldiers w'orthy of death, 
and regarded their acquittal as the efl'ect of legal chicanery. 
Those who still bore in their own limbs the scars of wounds 
received on the fatal fifth of March, and those who were still 
mourning for the loss of their friends, could not suffer its an- 
niversary day to pass unnoticed. It was proposed to substi- 
tute the celebration of the Boston Massacre for that of the 
Gunpowder plot. Accordingly when the evening arrived, in 
1771, an address was delivered by Dr. Thomas Young to a 
collection of people at the Manufactory House.* At the 
north part of the town, Mr. Paul Revere (afterwards Col.) 
who lived in North square, had his house illuminated, and at 
one window exhibited a representation of Snider's ghost, at 
another a view of the massacre, and at a third the Genius of 
America in tears. The whole exhibition was so well execut- 
ed, that it produced a melancholy gloom and solemn silence 
in several thousand spectators, which was deepened by the 



* This building stood where namilton place now does. It was selected for this occasion, 
because the first opposition to the soldiers had been made here in October, 1768. Mr. John 
Brown, having possession of the building as a tenant under the province, refused admission 
to the military. — The Sheriff was sent by Gov. Bernard to take possession and was refused 
admittance. On a tliird attempt he found a window open, and entered by that •• upon which, 
the people gathered about him and made him prisoner. Notice of this being given to an 
officer of the regiment on the Common, a party of soldiers came and took possession of the 
yard and relieved the sherifffrom his confinement. Mr. Brown continued obstinate : the 
soldiers stood guard all that day and the best part of the next, when the council declared to 
the governour, that they would not justify the use of force to dispossess him, and the sol- 
tliers were withdrawn. 



28G UlSTORV OF BOSTON. 

dismal sound of the bells foiling from nine to ten o'clock. 
These were the acts of private individuals, but they proba- 
bly occasioned the resolution to commemorate the fifth of 
March in a publick way. Master James Lovell was this year 
appointed and delivered the first of the ' Boston Orations' on 
the 2d of April, and provision was made for a similar cele- 
bration, by the timely appointment of Dr. Joseph Warren for 
the orator of the next year.* 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

" For that he has, 
As much as in him lies, from time to tirot- 
Envied against the people, seeking means 
To pluck away their power." 

Mr. Hutchinson had received a commission promoting him 
to the office of Governour on the 8th of March, 1771, and been 
proclaimed in customar3'^ foi-m on the fil'teenth. On the thiid 
of April, he met the General Court at Cambridge. As soon 
as they had opportunity, they appointed a committee to pre- 
sent him a verbal message rcq<icsling him to ' remove the 
court to its ancient and legal seat, the town of Boston.' This 
he declined to do, while the House denied the King's ri^ht to 
order the court to be held where he thought proper. A con- 
troversy was maintained for a long time on this subject, which 
served to make the governour an object of publick odium. 
This was not decreased b}' his proclamation for aid and as- 
sistance to a recruiting part^^, wliich arrived here on the 29th 
of April to enlist for His Majesty's service.! People could not 
misunderstand this movement, or consider it in any other 
light than that of a pretext for keeping a guard in the town, 
to be in readiness to protect the crown officers. And they 
found it employed for that purpose, on occasion of a ball at 
Concert-hall, given by Mrs.Gambier, wife of the commander of 
the naval forces on this station, on the king's birth day (June 4,) 



' The anniversary was observed every year till 1783, inclusive. The orators in order 
were, Mr. Lovell, Dr. Warren, Dr. Uenja. Church, .lojni Hancock, Dr. Warren, Rev. Peter 
Thacher (of Maiden, at Watertown, I77li,) llenja. Hiclihorn, Jona. W. Austin, Wm. Tudor, 
.Tona. Mason Jr. Thom.is Dawes Jr. Geo. U. Minot, Dr. Thomas Welsh. The ornlions 
are published in a separate volume. 

t From an advertisement of Mr. Hancock's in the H. Gaictte of April l5lh, it appears 
that the nfrreemeni not to import, had before that lime become null, except as to the article 
iif I'm on which the duty of three jwnce per pound was still demanded. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 287 

which was attended by the Governour and other friends to 
govrrnment. 

The General Court,* which was obliged again to assemble 
at Cambridge, found other causes of complaint. It had been 
decided in England that the Govcrnour's salary should be 
paid by the crown, and thus he was made inde|)cndent of the 
people. The alarm which this step occasioned was very ex- 
tensive, and the indignation expressed against it was couched 
in no equivocal terms. The language of the whigs became 
every day more high-toned: ' JVc knozc,'' say the H. of. R. 
on one occasion, ' lue knoiu of no commissioners of His jMajesty''s 
customs, nor of any revenue His Majesly has a right to establish 
in North America.'^ Heretofore the complaint had been 
against the ministry and parliament ; we find it here against 
the King himself. But this increased determination in favour 
of liberty produced no popular tumult : Boston remained as 
quiet throughout the year, as it had ever been before the ar- 
rival of the troops, and entirely free from those petty broils, 
which the soldiers were always creating. The greatest agi- 
tation was occasioned, by an abortive attempt to procure 
an indictment against Mr. Isaiah Thomas, for an article which 
appeared in his Massachusetts Spy, November 14ih, signed 
Mucins Sccevola, which was said to be the most daring produc- 
tion ever published in America. The Spy had been estab- 
lished about a year in Boston, and had taken a very decided 
stand in favour of liberty, in a stile calculated to engage the 
middling class of society.! 

Early in 1 772. i a prominent writer made the declaration, 
' the dispute between the kingdom and colonies has ceased 
every where except in this province — We are now left in the 
lurch — every other colony has made its peace.' On this 
ground he exhorted the Massachusetts to lay aside their 
animosities, and submit like dutiful children to parental au- 
thority. Governour H. intimated the same in his messages to 
the General Court. This drew, from the partizans on the 
other side, rejoinders equally positive of the contrary. 'They 
(the colonies) will soon put in practise their meditated plan of 
the United Provinces, and form an independent comraon- 



* Mr. Otis was returned this year (1771) from Boston instead of Mr. John Adams ; but his 
infirmities had now increased so much that he could no longer give a close and continued 
attention to business -. he withdrew soon after from publick life, and was bereft of his rea^ 
son, except at very short intervals, fur several years before his death, which happened at 
Andover, May 23, 1783. 

t See Newsletter, Feb. 6, 1772. Bost. Gaz. March 2, May U, July 17. Thomas' U- 
of P. ii. 249. 

The Boston representatives, in 1772, were S. Adams, Hancock. Gushing, ajid William 
Phillips, who also served in '73 and '7-1 



288 HISTOUV OF BOSTON. 

wealth. — That the colonies will in some future time be an 
independent state is morally certain — it is very near — 'tis not 
probable that it is at the distance of fifieen years.' Again, in 
May, on a rumour that war was to be expected between En- 
gland and some European power, the people are exhorted to 
establish a correspondence between the several colonies and 
unitedly refuse supplies, unless a redress of grievances can 
be obtained.* 

Such a war did not take place, but the people of Boston 
found an opportunity for commencing a union on a smaller 
scale, which probably led to the genera] union of all the col- 
onies. People had remonstrated firml}^ against the Gover- 
nour's receiving his salary from the crown, but they were 
answered only by the further indignity of putting the judges 
on the same footing. As soon as the news of this design 
reached Boston, a petition was circulated to procure a town 
meeting, to consult on the measures required at this critical 
juncture. Several meetings were held, and continued by ad- 
journments to Nov. 2d, when, after ineffectual application to 
the Governour for information on this important subject, and 
having obtained from him a refusal to call together the Gen- 
eral Court, the following proceedings took place. 

' jVov. 1772. Proceedings of Town Meeting. 

' It was then moved by Mr. Samuel Adams, that a Commit- 
tee of Correspondence he appointed, to consist of twenty-one 
persons — testate the Right of these Colonists, and of this Prov- 
ince in particular, as men, as christians, and as subjects : to 
communicate and publish the same to the several towns in this 
province and to the loorld, as the sense of this toivn, tvith the 
infringements and violations thereof, that have been, or from 
time to time may be made. Also requesting of each town a free 
communication of their sentiments on this subject ; and the 
question being accordingly put, passed in the affirmative, 
nem. con. 

Kfllso voted, that James Otis, S. Adams, Joseph if arren. Dr. 
fi. Church, Wm. Dennie, Wm. Greenleaf Jos. Grecnleaf 
Thomas Young, Wm. Powell, A^ath. Applcton, Oliver H en- 
dell, John Sweetser, Josiah Quincy jr. John Bradford, Rich- 
ard Boynton, Wm. Mackay, A'ath.Rarber, Caleb Davis, .Jlrx. 
Hill, Wm. MoUneux, and Robert Picrpont, be and hi n by are 
appointed a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, and rhai ihiy 
be desired to report to the town as soon as may be.' 

The committee reported on the 10th of November an elab- 
orate declaration of rights, anil a lucid statement of the 



* June 13, I /72. The Uovernour removed ilic Couil lo Dosloii, on lie opinion of llic 
Council thai lit- could do it ruM^isleiitlv with liis in>>lincliun<. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 289 

violations of them, of which the town ordered 600 copies to 
be printed and distributed, together with a circuhir letter to 
every town in the province. These town meetings were rath- 
er thinly attended, and the tories improved that circumstance 
to represent the whole in a ludicrous light. But their smiles 
were changed to sadness when they found that almost every 
town adopted the measures proposed by Boston ; and the 
Governour considered it so serious a subject as to be worthy 
of mention to the general court in his message, Jan. 6, 1773. 
His condemnation of the towns drew from the representatives 
a justification, in which they were emboldened to say to him, 
' Notwithstanding all the terrours which Your Ex. has depict- 
ed to us as the effects of a total independence, th.ere is more rea- 
son to dread the consequences of absolute, uncontrolled pow- 
er, whether of a nation or a monarch, than those of a total 
independence.' 

Following up the plin of union, the town, in their instruc- 
tions to their representatives, chosen in May, thus express 
their approbation of it : 

' We recommend to your serious consideration, whether an 
application to the English colonies on this continent, corres- 
pondent to the plan proposed by our noble patriotick sister 
colony of Virginia (which in our opinion is a wise and salu- 
tary proposal,) will not secure our threatened liberties, and 
restore that mutual harmony and confidence between the 
British nation and the English colonies, so important to both, 
especially the former, which, if rescinded from her connexion 
with this continent, must eventually fall a prey to her nume- 
rous and jealous neighbours.' 

The Virginia proposal, to which these instructions referred, 
was contained in Resolves, passed by the House of Burges- 
ses in that colony, on the twelfth of March ; and in accord- 
ance with that, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 
on motion of Samuel Adams, apj)ointed a committee of corres- 
pondence and inquiry, to consist of 15 members, ' whose 
business it should be to obtain the most early and authentick 
intelligence of all such acts and resolutions of the British par- 
liament, or proceedings of administrations, as may relate to, 
or affect the British colonies in America ; and to keep up and 
maintain a correspondence and communication with our sister 
colonies, respecting these important considerations : and the re- 
sult of such their proceedings, from time to time, to lay before 
the House.' This was adopted (1 10 to 4) on the 28th of May. 

On the 2d of June, (the galleries of the house being clearjr 
ed,) a disclosure was made by Mr. Adams, relative to the dis- 
covery of certain letters written by Messrs. Hutchinson and 
Oliver, Paxton, Auchmuty, and others, in which it appeared 
'hat they had long maintained and fivoured the design of in- 
37 



290 HISTOUV OF BOSTON. 

troducing arbitrary power into this country.* In conse- 
quence of this discovery, the House adopted resolutions of 
censure, which concluded with a petition to the king for the 
removal of Hutchinson and Oliver from their offices. 



CHAPTER L. 

•' I do believe 
(Statist though I am none, uor like to be) 
That this will prove a war, and you shall hear 
The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed 
In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings 
Of any penny tribute paid." Hhakspeare. 

Although the resolution of the Americans not to pay the 
duty on tea, imported from England, continued firm, there 
was still a considerable quantity of the article consumed. It 
could be obtained in Holland, at a less price than the English 
merchants demanded, and there was no difliculty in smuggling 
it, on its arrival here. Not one chest in 500 had been seized 
for the three years past, and the custom-house ollicers seemed 
unwilling to run any risk to make a seizure. The English 
East India Company ascertained by very accurate informa- 
tion, that the annual consumption in the colonies was not less 
than 3,264,000 pounds, and that the net profit, which they 
might reasonably calculate on realizing from that quantity, 
after paying the duties themselves, and deducting incidental 
charges, would amount to £39,320 sterling. They were, 
therefore, induced to apply for and obtained licence (Aug. 20, 
1773) to export a quantity of tea to America, not exceeding 
600,000 pounds wt. 'discharged from the payment of any cus- 
tomsor duties whatsoever' in the kingdom, on the understanding, 
that they were to pay the three pence per pound duty, at the 
custom-houses in America.! 

As soon as this determination of the Company was known, 
a number of American merchants, then in London, petitioned 



* These letters were originals, which had been obtained in England through the instru- 
mentaliiy of Dr. Franklin, as it afterwards appeared, (News-Lelter, March, 1774.) and for- 
warded to BIr. Bowdoin, 

1 MS. account of the proceedings of the E. I. Co. relative to the exportation of tea to 
America, 1773. pp.262. 

The first tea that paid the An>ericun duty arrivfjl in 17ti8 : from that time In Not. 1773, 
'here luul been entered at Uoslon, M'i'i chetls. A chest was estiuiaied 3-10 pounds wi. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 291 

very greedily for the privilege of receiving the consignments 
or furnishing vessels to convey the tea. Jona. Clarke, of the 
firm of Richard Clarke and 8ons, of Boston, obtained the fa- 
vour for his house, and the friends of Benja. Faneuil jr. and 
Joshua Winslovv, and those of Elisha and Th. Hutchinson jr. 
obtained similar privileges for them. 

All these facts became known in Boston early in October, 
and several caucus meetings were held, ' in various parts ot 
the town, of a large number of persons, to consult and con- 
clude on some method to prevent the execution of the Com- 
pany's plan.' About one o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, 
the 2d of November, the Messrs. Clarkes were roused out of 
sleep by a violent knocking at their door, when a letter was 
delivered to them, purporting to be from the freemen of this 
province, requiring them to appear at Liberty Tree, at 12 
o'clock on Wednesday, to make a pubiick resignation of their 
commission as consignees of the ten. On Tuesday, there was 
a notincation to the freemen of this and the other towns, to 
attend to witness this resignation. On Wednesday the bells 
began to ring at 11, and continued ringing till 12 o'clock, and 
the town crier went through the streets summoning the peo- 
ple to asscinble. About 500 collected ; (the selectmen were 
present to prevent disorder ;) but the gentlemen consignees 
did not appear. A committee was therefore appointed, con- 
sisting of Mr. Molineux, Mr. Wm. Dennie, Dr. Warren, Dr. 
Church, Major Barber, Mr. Gabriel Johonnot, Mr. Proctor, 
and Mr. Ezekiel Chcever, to expostulate with them on the 
high insult they had cast upon the people, and demand their 
signature to a paper, obligating themselves not to land or pay 
duty on any tea sent by the E. I. C. The assembly then 
accompanied the committee to the store of IVIessrs. C. & Sons, 
at the lower end of King-street, where all the consignees were 
assembled, and waited for their answer ; which not being 
satisfactory, some little indignity was offered to them, but the 
people were soon persuaded to disperse, without doing any 
essential injury. 

The next day a town meeting was notified, to be held on 
the 5th, when the consignees were called upon by the Town 
to resign their appointments ; but they still refused to do it, 
on the ground ' that they knev/ not on what terms the tea 
would be sent to them, nor what obligations of a moral or pe- 
cuniary nature they might be under to fulfil the trust.' The 
meeting was adjourned to the 6th, when these answers were 
voted to be daringly affrontive to the town, and the meeting 
immediately dissolved. On the 17th, Mr. Jonathan Clarke 
arrived, and at night the town was disturbed by an assem- 
blage around his father's house, in School-street. A pistol 
was fired from the windows, which in return were saluted 



292 HISTORV OF BOSTOJf. 

Avith f=;lones, but no personal injury appears to have been 
done to any one. 

The consignees throw themselves upon the Gov. and Coun- 
cil for protcclion ; and, after having the subject under dis- 
cussion for ten days, the Council could only advise His Ex. 
to order the jusiicps. sheriff, and other officers of the law, to 
exert thcn)sclvcs to the utmost for the preservation of the pub- 
lick peace. The consignees and custom-house officers there- 
upon took refuge in the Castle. 

Durinc^ this time all was expectation. At length, on Sun- 
day, Nov. 28, the ship Dartmouth, Capt. James Hall, arrived, 
with 112 chests of the tea. The next morning, the following 
notice was widely circulated : 

Friends, Brethren, Countrymen I 

That ivorst of plagues, (he detested TEA, shipped for this 
port by the East India Company, is now arrived in this har- 
bour. The hour of destrueiion, or manly opposition to the 
machinations of Tyranny, stares you in the face. Every friend 
to his country, to himself and to posterity, is noiv called upon 
to meet at Faneuil-Hall, at nine o^clock, this day (at ivhich 
time the hells will ring) to make a united and successful re- 
sistance to this last, ivorst, and most destructive measure of 
administration. 

Boston, JVov. 29, 1773. 

This notification brought together a vast concourse of 
' THE PEOPLE of Boston and the neighbouring towns,' at 
the time and place appointed. Jona. Williams of B. was cho- 
sen moderator. The first step of this meeting was to confirm 
the resolve of the town, that the tea should ' be returned to 
the place from whence it came, at all events.' It then appear- 
ing, that the Hall could not contain the people assembled, it 
■was voted to adjourn to the Old South (leave having been 
obtained for this purpose.) There it was further resolved, 
that ' the tea should not only be sent back, but no duty should 
be paid thereon.' Then, to give time to the consignees to 
prepare a communication to this body, the meeting was ad- 
joui-ned to 3 P. I\l. In the afternoon, Capt. Hall, and Mr. 
Francis Rotch, the owner of the Dirtmouth, were convented 
and charged not to land the lea at their peril. A watch of 
2j persons, under direction of Capt. Edw. Proctor, was ap- 
pointed to prevent the landing of the tea in the night. Cen- 
sure was passed on the Governour for an order he had issued 
to the law officers. An excuse was then ollored by Mr. 
Hancock, in the name of a friend of the consignees, for their 
delay ; and, ' out of great tenderness' to them, the metting 
vr as adjourned to nine o'clock the next morning. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 293 

Tuesday, Nov. 30th, the Body met, according to adjourn- 
ment, and received a letter from the consignees, informing 
that their orders had arrived from the E. 1. C. and stating, 
that it was entirely out of their power to send the tea back, 
but that they were willing to store it, until they could send to 
England for further advice. Before the assembly had time 
to express their indignation at this communication, Mr. Sherifi' 
Greenleaf came into the meeting, and ' begged leave to read 
a letter he had received from the Governour,' requiring him 
to read a proclamation to the people here assembled ; which 
was granted and done. *• Whereupon it was moved and the 
question put, whether the sherifi' should be permitted to read 
the proclamation, which passed in the affirmative, nem, con.' 
It was an order ' forthwith to disperse and surcease all fur- 
ther unlawful proceedings, at their utmost peril. And the 
same being read by the sheriff", there was immediately after 
a loud and very general hiss.' — And the question being put, 
whether the assembly would disperse, &c. according to the 
Governour's requirement, it passed in the negative, nan. con. 

There was another meeting in the afternoon, when, after 
ineffectual conference with Mr. Copley, the friend of the con- 
signees. Captain Hall, and the owners and factors of the 
Dartmouth and the other vessels expected, were put under 
solemn injunction not to land a particle of the Tea. Captain 
Ezekiel Cheever was appointed to command the watch this 
night, and provision was made for a watch ' the following 
nights, uyitjl the vessels leave fhcharhotir.'' If the watch should 
be molested in the night, the bells were to be tolled, or rung 
if any thing happened in the day time. Six persons were ap- 
pointed ' to give notice to the country towns, when they shall 
be required so to do, on any important occasion.' 

Resolutions of gentle censure were then passed against 
those who had inadvertently imported tea from G. B. while 
subject to a duty, and followed by another, which declared 
whoever should hereafter import, until the said unrighteous 
act shall be repealed, an enemy to this country. Then it was 
' Voted, that it is the determination of this Bodj' to carry their 
votes and resolutions into execution, at the risk of their lives 
and property.' Provision then being made for the disposal 
of 'he expected vessels, and thanks from those of the Body 
belonging to Boston to their brethren from the neighbouring 
towns, and to the moderator for his good services, the meeting 
was dissolved. 

On the first of December, Capt. James Bruce, in the ship 
Eleanor, arrived with another portion of the tea. On the 3d 
he was ordered to attend the next day, on a committee of the 
people, in Faneuil-Hali, where he was commanded liy Samuel 
Adams and Jonathan Williams, assembled with John Rowe» 



2^4 HISruRV OF UOSTOX, 

John Hancock, Wm. Phillips, and John Pitts, esqrs. and a 
great number of others, not to land any of the said tea, but 
to proceed to Griffin's whf. and there discharge the rest of his 
cargo. Capt. Hez. Coffin arrived in the brig Beaver, near 
the same time, and was ordered to pursue the same course. 
It being perceived, that Mr. Rotch rather lingered in his 
preparations to return the Dartmouth to London, and the 
twenty daj's being nearly expired, after which the collector 
might seize the ship and cargo, Mr. R. was summoned before 
the committee, and stated to them, that it would prove his en- 
tiro ruin, if he should comply with the resolutions of the 29th 
and 30th of November, and therefore he should not do it. A 
meeting of the people was assembled at the Old South, on 
Tuesday p. m. Dec. 14th, when Mr. R. appeared, and was 
enjoined forthwith to demand a clearance. It was ascertain- 
ed, that one could not be obtained till the next day, and there- 
fore the meeting was adjourned to 'J'hursday at the same place. 
On Thursday, there was the fullest meeting ever known : 
2000 men at least were present from the country. Samuel 
Phillips Savage, esq. of Weston, was appointed moderator. 
Mr. Rotch reported, that the collector would not give him a 
clearance. He was then ordered uf;on his peril to get his 
ship ready for sea litis day, enter a protest immediately against 
the Custom house, and proceed directly to the Governour. 
(then at Milton, 7 miles distant,) and demand a pass for his 
ship to go by the Castle. An adjournment to 3 P. M. then 
took place. At three having met, they waited very patiently 
till five o'clock, when finding that Mr. Rotch did not return, 
ihey began to be very uneasy, called for a dissolution of the 
meeting, and finally obtained a vote for it. But the more 
judicious, fearing what would be the consequences, begged 
for a re-consideration of that vote, ' for this reason, that they 
ought to do every thing in their power to send the tea back, 
according to their resolves.'' This touched the pride of the as- 
sembly, and they agreed to remain together one hour. 

This interval was improved by Josiah Quincy ji-. to ap- 
prize his fellow citizens of the importance of the crisis, and 
direct their attention to the probable results of this contro- 
versy. He succeeded in holding them in attentive silence, 
till Mr. Rotch's return, at three c|uartcrs past five o'clock. 
The answer which he brought from the governour was, ' that, 
for the honour of the laws, and from duty towards the king, he 
could not gi-ant the permit, until the vessel was regularly clear- 
ed.' A violent commotion immeLliatcly ensued. A person who 
was in the gallery, disguised after the manner of the Indians, 
shouted at this juncture the cry of war : it was answered by 
about thirty persons, disguised in like manner, at the door. 
The meeting was dissolved in the twinkling of an eye. The 
multitude ru>licd to (Jriffin's wharf. The disfruised In- 



UISTOIIY OF BOSTON. 295 

dians went on board the ships laden with the tea. In less than 
2 hours, 240 chests and 100 half chests were staved and empti- 
ed into the dock. The affair was conducted without any tu- 
mult : no damage was done to the vessels or to any other 
effects whatever. 

This was executed in the presence of several ships of war 
lying in the harbour, and almost under the guns of the castle, 
where there was a large body of troops at the command of 
the commissioners. We are left to conjecture for the reasons 
why no opposition was made to this bold adventure. The 
names of the men, who dared to engage in it, have never been 
made publick. Three or four of them are yet living. They 
had the honour of a part in the act, which brought the king 
and parliament to a decision that America must be subdued 
by force of arms. 



CHAPTER LI. 

" Well, let them come, 
And to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war 
All hot and bleeding we will offer them." 

The reception, which the news of this transaction met in En- 
gland, may readily be anticipated. It produced an instantaneous 
determination, that ' as the people of Boston had notoriously 
struck the first blow,' it should be returned with the full force 
of ministerial vengeance. ' Delenda est Carthago,'' said one 
member of the House of Commons, ' the town of Boston 
ought to be knocked about their ears and destroyed. 1 am of 
opinion, 3'ou never will meet with that proper obedience to 
the laws of this country, until 3^ou have destroyed that nest 
of locusts.' 

A vast majority of parliament was of the same mind, and the 
king, on the 31st of March, 1774, gave his assent to the Boston 
Port Bill ; by which it was enacted, that, from and after the 
first of June, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping 
of goods at the town, and within the harbour of Boston, should 
be discontinued. Information of the passage of this bill was 
received on the 10th of May. On the 13th, the town was 
called together upon the subject, and passed the following 
vote : 

Voted, That it is the opinion of this toivn that if the other 
colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importations 
from G. B. and exportations to G. B. the same loill prove i/ie 



296 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

salvation ofJY. America and her liberties. On the other hand, If 
they continue their exports and imports, there is high reason to 
fear that fraud, power, and the most odious oppression will rise 
triumphant over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom. 
And ordered, That this vote be transmitted by the Moderator 
to all our sister colonies in the name and behalf of this town. 

It happened that Gen. Gage arrived here on the same day 
from England, with the commission of Governour and Vice- 
Admiral of the Province, Mr. Hutchinson having received 
permission, at his own request, to come to England.* Gov. 
Gage stopped a day or two at the casile, and provision was 
made by the Council that he should be received with nnlitary 
honours ' at the end of Long-wharf, and thence escorted to 
the State-house, t and a publick dinner be prepared on the oc- 
casion.' H. E. met the two houses in assembly on the 26th 
of May, and in his speech advised them to despatch the busi- 
ness of the session as speedily as possible, because it was 
made his duty to remove the court to Salem on the first of 
June. When that day arrived, the court was accordingly 
adjourned ; and at twelve o'clock, at noon, all business ceas- 
ed in the Custom-house of Boston, and the port was shut 
against every vessel that oflc!-ed lo enter. The next day, an 
arrival from England brou2,lit the intelligence, that the bills 
were before the parlicimcnt, which imuicdiaiely after became 
acts, whereby the charter of the province was completely 
subverted, and the administration of justice to criminal offen- 
ders transferred from the province courts to courts in England. 

These things bore heavily upon Massachusetts, and particu- 
larly upon Boston, but her citizens did not sink under the 
weight of them. Confiding in the sympathy of their country- 
men, already loudly expressed, the Boston Committee of Cor- 
respondence framed a Solemn League and Covenant, whereby 
all that signed it bound themselves from henceforth to suspend 
all commercial intercourse with G. Britain, until a restoration 
of their charter rights. This League was sent to every part 
of the province ; and, in despite of a proclamation from Gov. 
Gage, dcnouncins; the authors of it, and cautioning all persons 
to beware of entering into this traitorous combination, thou- 
sands put their names to it, and faithfully complied \sith its 
obligations. 

The air of Salem was no less propitious to Liberty than that 
of Boston. The Court, after entering a protest against their 



* Tbe I'i'ivv Council had acted uu the pellliuii ngaiiist ilulcliiuson and Oliter, and pro- 
DOUDcrd a juil:;iiienl of acquittal. 

t It i> ubsri'valile, tlijt ttiU buildin(f has been vnriotialy called, tbe Town-house, Cuurlr 
house, Stale-huusr, old Slati- huusc, or old Townhouse. It belongs uuw to the oil)'. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 237 

removal, proceeded to make arranfjemctits for the choice of 
Delegates to the Couliuental Congress, to be held on the first 
of September at Philadelphia. On the 17th of June, they 
elected fur this purpose Messrs. Bowdoin, Gushing, S. and J. 
Adams, and Robert Treat Paine. Gov. Gage could suffer 
this spirit to progi-ess no farther : on that day he dissolved 
the court by proclamation. 

Boston soon began to suffer under the operation of the 
Port Bill : all business was at a stand, the poor were thrown 
out of employment, and the means of subsistence became en- 
hanced in price, from the rigour witii which t!ic Commission- 
ers executed the act. The town could hardly have support- 
ed the ah'liction, if assistance and encouragement had not been 
afforded her from all (juarters. Donations of all sorts of pro- 
visions were forwarded for the use of the poor, and employ- 
ment was found for many of them at the town's expence. 

The solemnity of these sad times was heightened by the 
occurrence of a Fire, on Wednesday, Aug. 10th. It broke 
out between 10 and 1 1, P.M. in a large brick dwelling-house, 
belonging to Mr. Milliken and Mrs. Campbell, in Fish-street, 
five or six doors north of Mountfort's corner, at the foot of 
North-square. The lower part of the house was in flames be- 
fore the distressed tenants were apprized of it. Several es- 
caped out of the windows, some naked and much burnt, and 
five others perished in the llames, three women and two small 
children. The house was entirely consumed with part of a 
bake-house. The inhabitants speedily assembling, with their 
usual dexterous management happily put a stop to the further 
progress of the flames. Earl Percy politely offered the ser- 
vices of some soldiers, who could be depended upon, but was 
informed that the regulations of the town rendered their as- 
sistance unnecessary. 

In the course of Juno, July, and August, troops had been 
constantly arriving, and the Governour had them employed 
in the construction of barracks, and the erection of fortifica- 
tions on the neck. The town's -people would afford no assist- 
ance in these works, and H. E. was obliged to send to other 
places for suitable persons to perform that part of the work, 
which the soldiers did not understand. On the first of Sep- 
tember, 200 troops in 13 boats went from Long-wharf up the 
Mystick river, landed at Temple's farm, and took from the 
powder-house on Quarry-hill, 212 half-barrels of powder, be- 
longing to the province. A detachment from the same corps 
went to Cambridge and brought off two field-pieces. This 
excursion caused a great alarm, and by the next day, several 
thousand people were assembled in arms, in the vicinity of 
Cambridge. Finding no armed foe to combat, they laid aside 
their muskets, and went in a body to the bouse<> of several 
38 



298 HISTOKT OF HUSTON. 

individuals, who had taken pari on the side of government, 
and compelled them to recant and forswear all concern in 
any offices under the law for altering the charter. The same 
thing was done so cflcctuallv in all the other counties, that 
Gov. Gage had scarcely a mandamus counsellor left to give 
him advice, except the few that resided in Boston under his 
protection. 'J'he jurors also refused to serve under judges 
subservient to the crown, or paid \}y salary from the king, 
and the province was thus left almost in a state of anarchy. 

The new Charter, so to call it, made it unlawful that any 
town meetings should be held, except the iVJarch and May 
meetings, without the previous approbation of the Governour, 
and H. E. had informed the selectmen of Boston, that he 
should insist on a compliance with this regulation. Instead, 
therefore, of meeting in Boston, the people of the county of 
SulTolk assembled at Dedham, on the sixth of September, 
and thence adjourned to Milton, where, on the 9th, they pass- 
ed a set of spirited resolutions, which were forwarded to the 
Congress then sitting in I^hiladelphia. Congress unanimously 
approved them and recommended them for universal adop- 
tion.* 

Gov. Gage was pleased to issue His Majesty's writs for con- 
vening a General Assembly at Salem, on the fifth of October. 
But finding from the many tun)ults and disorders that were 
taking place, and ' the instructions given by the town of Bos- 
ton and some other towns to their representatives," that it 
would be highly inexpedient to convene a general court at 
that time, he proroijued the same indefinitely by proclama- 
tion, on the 28th of September. The representatives, howev- 
er, appeared, and after waiting a day for the Governour's no- 
tice, on the 7th of October they resolved themselves into a 
Provincial Congress, and chose a chairman and clerk. John 
Hancock and Benjamin Lincoln, and adjourned to meet at 
Concord, on the 11th of the month. Dr. AVarren. Dr.Church. 
and Mr. Nath'l Appleton, together with the representatives, 
composed the Boston delegation to this assembly. 

The Provincial Congress continued in session to the 29th 
of October, during which time they proposed to the people to 
take measures for an efficient orc;anization of the militia and 
the supply of the town stores with ammunition. ^ hey also 
appointed a treasurer and receiver general, in the room of 
Mr. Gray, and advised all persons to refrain from paying the 
publick monies to the latter. They also denounced the man- 



• The law Hf^ainst town-uioetings was obviated in Doslon t>y ndjoiirnmont of tlic 31ay 
mcHing and tlie Rosion Port-hill meeting from time to time. In tbis way, meetings werf 
'-ontinually held, until tht- ni-xt March meeting in 1775. 



HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 299 

damus counsellors as rebels against the state. For these and 
olher offensive acts, Gov. Gage denounced the congress by 
proclamation, as an unlawful assembly, with whose recom- 
mendations it would be dangerous for any person to compjy. 
This, however, did not deter the same persons from meeting 
again in December, and pursuing similar measures of prepa- 
ration for defence, and also for the execution of the plans of 
the Continental Congress. They created a body, termed the 
Committee of Safety, which became the real executive of 
Massachusetts. These were elected anew at every session, 
and were empowered generally to watch over the safety of 
the commonwealth, and advise the Congress of such measures 
as they thought beneficial, and especially to assemble such 
of the militia as they judged necessary, and station them 
where they deemed it most conducive to the defence and ser- 
vice of the colony. 

On the 19th of December, the people of Boston were some- 
what enlivened by news from Poitsniouth, N. H. that a party 
of the people of that province, on the 15th, attacked the fort 
at Newcastle, scaled the walls, disarmed the captain and his 
men, took possession of 97 barrels of powder, with upwards 
of 60 stands of small arms, and 16 pieces of cannon, and 
conveyed them to a safe place in the country. The acqui- 
sition made a partial offset to the loss at Cambridge. Gov. 
Wentvvorth, with some propriety, proclaimed the act to be 
' in open hostility and direct oppugnation of His Majesty's 
government.' Affairs were evidently approaching to a crisis 
in the vicinity of Boston. Exertions were made with the ut- 
most solicitude to procure the arms and ammunition, recom- 
mended by the provincial congress. As these articles wei'c 
pi'incipally held in Boston, the inhabitants employed all their 
address to transport them to ])laces of safet}- in the country', 
by deceiving the guard stationed upon the neck. Cannon, 
balls, and other implements of war, were cariicd through the 
fortification gates, in carts apparently loaded with manure ; 
powder in the baskets or panniers of the market men ; and 
cartridges were concealed in candle boxes. 

At the close of the year 1774, Gov. Gage had under his 
command, in Boston, eleven regiments, besides four compa- 
nies of artillery. Five hundred men were on duty every day. 
The behaviour of the troops was generally peaceable : some 
of the officers were gentlemen of the first standing in society, 
and there appears hitherto to have been no disposition on 
their part to countenance any licentiousness. 



300 lirSTORY r.F BOSTON. 



ClfAPTER LII. 

The army broken, 
Ami but llie backs of Britons seen, all flying,. 
Through a strait lane, the enemy full hearted. 
Chickens the way which they stooped eagles. 

Skaispcare. 

The soldiery did not maintain iheir good character through 
the winter. Several i-iotous acts were committed, in which 
both officers and men bore a part, in the course of January, 
1775. On the 23d of that month, a detachment of above a 
hundred men was sent hy water to Marshfield, for the protec- 
tion of some of His Majesty's loyal subjects there, from the 
fury of the whigs. They found nothing to do, and of course 
met with no resistance. Another detachment sent to Salem 
was received with less complaisance. Gen. Gage had infor- 
mation that some brass cannon were deposited in or near Sa- 
lem, and H. E. sent an officer to discover where thej' were 
lodged, and at the same time ordered a transport to lake on 
board a part of the 64th regiment, under the command of 
Lieut. Col. Leslie, from the Castle, and convey them to Mar- 
blehead. This was on Sunday. Feb. 20lh. The}' landed at 
M. met the officers, and immediately began their march for 
Salem ; but some of the jMariilehcad people, suspecting their 
object, despatched messengers to give warning at S. and he- 
fore the regiment arrived at the IS'orih river, which it was ne- 
cessary for them to cross, the Salem jieople had possession of 
the bridge, and raised the draw. The colonel ' desired it 
might be immediately' let down ; but the^' refused, saying it 
was a private road, and he had no authority to demand a 
passage that way. On this he determined to fej-ry a few men 
over in a gondola,' of which craft there were two on the bank 
of the river, but the people scuttled l^oth of them liefore he 
could efTcct his intention. ' Finally the colonel said he must 
go over, and if the drawbridge was let down so that lie might 
pass, he pledged his honour he would pass not above 30 rods 
beyond it, and then immediately return. The reginionl had 
now been on the bridge about an hour and a half, and every 
thing being secured, the people directed the drawbridge to be 
let doun. The regiment passed over, marched a few rods, 
leaving a party in possession of the bridge till they returned, 
which they soon did, it being dark, and with great expedition 
went back again to Marblchcad, where they re-embarked on 
board the transport, between eight and nine o'clock, and 



HISTORY OP BOSTOJV. 301 

reached Boston the next day.' The result of this expe- 
dition afforded merriment for the wits of the da^', and gave 
the royalists no little chagrin. 

The soldiery seem to have wreaked their vengeance for 
this defeat, by tarring and feathering Thomas Ditson, an in- 
habitant of Billerica, who had come to town (March 8th) for 
the purpose of purchasing a gun. Supposing, very honestly, 
that a soldier was a likely person to inform him where ho 
could most advantageously procure the article, he accosted 
one in the street, who conducted him to his own quarters, and 
there, having beguiled him out of iivc dollars on pretence of 
selling him a gun and equi[)menls, set up a hue and cry, that 
here was a rebel purchasing king's arms of a king's soldier, 
and enticing him to desert. On this, Ditson was seized ly a 
Serjeant and a party, and hurried to the barracks. There 
they tarred and feathered him from head to foot, and escort- 
ed him, with their colonel (Nesbit) at their head, to Liberty- 
tree, where they let him go. The selectmen of Billerica de- 
manded satisfaction of Gen. Gage, for this outrage, giving him 
the assurance, that, if the intercourse with Boston must be 
thus interrupted, thej^ should ' hereafter use a different style 
from that of petition ajid complaint.'* 

The Provincial Congress lield their sessions in February, 
RIarch, and April, without molestation. 'i hey appointed 
general officers for the command of the minute-men who should 
be detached, subject to the orders of the Committee of Safety, 
and appropriated funds for (he purcliase of v.nrlike stores. 
In April, intelligence reached the congress, (hat Massachusetts 
had been declared in a s(a{e of rebellion, and (hat Gov. Gage 
would receive orders (o (ransport certain of (he popular lead- 
ers to England for trial. On the lOih, there was an arrival 
which brought the official information to Govcrnour Gage. 
On the 1 5th, the congress adjourned, having during their ses- 
sion addressed the people with confidence, and urged them 
' effectually to oppose and resist such attempt or attempts as 
shall be made' for carrying into execution the offensive acts of 
parliament. 

For several months past there had been an association in 
Boston of upwards of thir(_y persons, chiefly mechanicks, who 
formed (hemselves info a commiKec for (he purpose of watch- 
ing the movements of the British.! Towards the spring the}' 



* Tlie Act for tairinfr and featliering, as it was humorously called, bad often been beiti 
up, in terrorem, against obnoxious tories, but never absolutely executed upon more tbari 
one. John Malcom, a renowned informer, suffered its penalty in January, 1774, and was 
most cruelly abused. 

♦ See Col. Revere's letter, Mass. H. C. 1. v. 108. 



302 mSTOU^ OF Kd-iTON. 

fre(jueiiUy took turns, two and two, to walcli the soldiers, by 
p;^ti-olling the streets all night. About twelve oVIock on Sat- 
urday night (April the loth) they discovered that the boats 
belonging to the transports were all launched and carried un- 
der the sterns of the men-of-war. The grenadiers and light 
infanti-y were also observed to be all taken off duty. This 
movement alarmed Dr. Warren, w ho despatched l\Ir. Revere 
to Lexington to give notice of the same to S. Adams and 
Hancock, who had been pei-suaded not to return to Boston, 
lest they should be exposed to seizui-e by the Governour. 

Oti Tuesday, the ISih, there were strong indications of a 
speedy movement. 'I'he light infantry and grenadiers were 
concentrated at the Common. About half-past 10 at night, 
Lieut. Col. Fiancis Smith of the lOlh I'cgt. embarked in the 
boats, with about oOO men, and landed at Lechmere's point, 
in Can) bridge. J] ere (he troops i-eceived a day's provision, 
and began their mai'ch about 12 o'clock. 

The object of this expedition was the destruction of the 
stores collected at Concoi'd. Profound secrecy had been ob- 
served in the camp, and it was supposed noljody in Boston 
suspected (he movements. But the vigilance of \Varren had 
anticipated the slow [jtoccsscs of regular troops. He had 
again despatched IlovfTe and another messenger, in dilferent 
directions, (o give (he alarm to Hancock and Adanss, and they 
forwarded the intelligence (o Concord. 

Lexington is about 12 miles N. VV. from Boston, and Con- 
cord six miles farthcj- in the same direction. The road, 
which the British took, lay through West Can)bridge. 'J'he 
moon, which rose upon them as they discmlmrked, shone 
clearl}^ and their progress was undis(ui-bed : (heir own drums 
were mute, and all nature was quiet around them, hi this solemn 
silence they stole their maich,and arrived about dawn of day 
at Lexington. But there the stillness of the night was chang- 
ed. The drum was heard beating to arms, and they soon 
came in sight of an American comi)any, paraded in posture 
of defiance. 

The Bi'itish troops were halted, at about 100 rods distance, 
ordered to charge their guns, double their ranks, and then (o 
march at double quick time. The Lexington conijianj', pre- 
viousl}' orderei] to load with ball, were now commanded to 
stand their ground and no man leave his post without orders, 
and not to fire unless they were attacked. 'J'here were about 
sixty of (hese brave men, who presented their bodies a living 
sacrifice to (he cause of (heir country. In the face of BOO 
troops then supposed to be 1600, they maintained their posi- 
tion in two ranks, heard the order from the British Major to 
disperse, and disobeyed it : heard his command to fire, re- 
ceived the first discharge unhurt, and maintained their ground 



HisTOUY or nosTON. 



30^ 



till another clischari!;e from the enemy proved fatal to several 
of their number. Upon this, part of the company, if not all, 
returned the lire, and then dispersed in various directions. 
The British drew up on the common, fired a volley, and gave 
three huzzas in token of victory ; and after a very short hah, 
marched for Concord, where they arrived without further 
opposition. 

LKXINGTON" MONUMENT. ' 




7'hey reached Concord about nine o'clock. The main 
body was immediately employed in searching for powder and 
other warlike stores : a detachment was sent forward to get 
command of a bridge north of the town. The alarm had 
reached Concord early in the morning, and many of the mi- 
litia had assetnbled, but not having heard of the e\ent'< at Lex- 
ington, they made no attack on the troops, lest they should be 
the aggressors. They however approached the party stationed 
at the bridge, and when they had advanced sufficiently near, 
the British opened a fire upon them, by which several vvere 
killed and wounde(J. The Americans returned the fire, and 
several of the king's officers and troops fell. The detachment 
soon after joined the main body, and all prepared, having 



*" Erected in 1799, in memory of those who fell there on the 19th of April, 1775. 



304 HISTORV OF Bosro.v. 

partiallj effected their object in the destruction of some stores 
and provisions, to return lo Boston, about noon. 

But ' in place of the high and insulting confidence with 
which the troops had wheeled into the streets of Concord, 
they left then), when the order was given to march, with fa- 
ces bent anxiously on the surrounding heights, and with looks 
that bespoke a consciousness of the dangers that were likely 
to beset the long road which lay before them. Their appre- 
hensions were not groundless. The troops had hardly com- 
menced their march before a volley was fired upon ihcin from 
the protection of a barn, and as they advanced, volley suc- 
ceeded volley, and musket answered musket fiom behnid 
every cover that offered lo their assailants. At first these 
desultory and feeble attacks were but little regarded ; a brisk 
charge, and a smart fire of a few moments never failing to 
disperse their enemies, when the troops again proceeded for 
a short distance unmolested. But the alarm of the preced- 
ing night had gathered the })rople over an imn)ensc extent of 
country; and, having waited for information, those nearest lo 
the scene of action were already pressing forward to the as- 
sistance of their friends. There was but little order, and no 
concert among the Americans ; but each party, as it arrived, 
pushed into the fra}', hanging on the skirls of their enemies, 
or making spirited though inellVctual efi'uils lo stop their 
progress. On either side of the highway, along the skirts 
of every wood or orchard, in the open fields and from every 
house, or barn, or cover in sight, the flash of fire arms was to 
be seen, while the shouls of the British grew at each instant 
feebler and less inspirited.'* The utmost confusion seized 
their ranks : they began lo run rather than to retreat in or- 
der : the officers atlemf)led to stop the men and form lliem, 
but to no purpose; the confusion increased : at last, alter they 
had passed Lexington village, the ollicers gained the front, 
presented their bayonets, and told the men if they advanced 
they should die. Upon this they began to form, under a very 
heavy fire. But they must, no doubt, have soon surrender- 
ed, had they not fjeen met, about a mile from the meeting- 
house, by a reinforcement under Brig. Gen. Lord Percy, of a 
thousand men, with two field pieces. Tlie Americans gave 
way a-: the two delachmenis joined, and the artillery being 
opened upon them, kept them at some distance, while the 
British halted about half an hour to rest. But the instant the 
guns were limbered and the files had once more opened for 
room, the attacks were renewed from every (|iiarter with 
redoubled fury. At every step of the retreating army, ihe> 
met a new cluster of enemies, that constantly annoyed them 

* i.toii('l Lincoln. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. c05 

till thej reached Charlestown neck, at about seven o'clock in 
the evening. Lord Percy took his station at Bunker-hill ; the 
men-of-war boats were employed first in getting over the 
wounded, and afterward the rest of the troops. P'rcsh sol- 
diers were sent to stand guard during the night, and the next 
day all were removed to Boston. The loss of the British was 
73 killed, 26 missing, besides 174 wounded. The American 
loss was 49 killed, 3 missing, and 36 wounded. 

The news of this transaction spread with the rapidity of 
the wind, and in the course of two days so great a number of 
the provincial militia was collected in the vicinity, that the 
British officers acknowledged themselves ' fairly blocked up 
in Boston.' 



CHAPTER LIII. 

" Advance our waving colours ou the walls, 
Rescued is Orleans from the English wolves." 

This state of things rendering the situation of the inhabi- 
tants of Boston very undesirable, a town-meeting was held on 
Saturda}', the 22d of April, and a conference had with Gov. 
Gage, in which he proposed to permit such of the citizens as 
would surrender their arms, to depart from the town with 
their families and eftects. This proposition was considered 
and adopted by the town, at an adjournment on the Sabbath 
day following, and many people immediately deposited their 
arms in the place appointed. But the Governour perceiving 
that, by letting the people go, he deprived himself of a secu- 
rity from destruction, which their presence might prevent, 
found a pretext to detain the greatest part of them, and com- 
pelled the few, who were permitted to retire, to leave their 
most valuable effects behind. All intercourse between town 
and country ceased, and the inhabitants and the troops were 
reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the provisions that 
happened to have been laid up in store.* On the 5th of May, 
the Provincial Congress resolved, that Gen. Gage had by the 
late transactions and many others ' utterly disqualified hira- 



* " 1775, May 17th. On the evening of this day, a store on the south side of the Town- 
dock, occupied as a barrack by British troops, took fire by the bursting of some cartridges, 
imprudently handled by the soldiers. About thirty warehouses and buildings were destroy- 
ed, with great part of the effects, contained in them, some of which were donations to the 
town, for relief of the inhabitants, Buffering under tbe oppressive Port Bill." — Shaw. 

39 



306 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

self from serving the colony as governour, or in any other 
capacity, and that therefore no obedience was in future due to 
him.' 

Towards the end of May, considerable reinforcements ar- 
rived at Boston from England, and on the 25th, Generals 
Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne arrived. General Gage pre- 
pared to act with more decision. His troops had had sev- 
eral skirmishes on the islands in the harbour, and the provin- 
cials had in every case been victorious. The latter were also 
animated with news from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, that 
the American parties, which had attacked those posts, had 
been completely successful. The British army burned for 
what they termed a fair trial of their prowess against the 
rebels in open fight : the officers demanded more ' elbow 
room.' Gen. Gage renewed the campaign on his side by is- 
suing a proclamation on the 12th of June, in which he offered 
pardon to all persons, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock, 
and proclaimed martial law throughout the province. The 
congress was about replying by a counter declaration, but 
were diverted from that design by a movement of more im- 
portance. 

The American army consisted of about 15,000 men, under 
Gen. Artemas Ward. Information found its way to the com- 
manders, that the British contemplated posting themselves on 
Bunker's Hill, and it was immediately determined to make an 
effort to defeat their design. 'Accordingly on the 16th of 
June, orders were issued, that a detachment of 1000 men 
should that evening march toCharlestown, and entrench upon 
that Hill. Just before o'clock they left Cambridge, and 
proceeded to Breed's Hill, situated on the further part of tlie 
peninsula next to Boston, (for by some mistake this hill was 
marked out for the entrenchment instead of the other.) Many 
things being necessary to be done preparatory to the en- 
trenchments being thrown up, which could not be done before, 
lest the enemy should discover and defeat the design, it was 
nearly twelve o'clock before the works were entered upon. 
They were then carried on with the utmost diligence and 
alacrity ; so that by the dawn of the day they had thrown 
up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. At this time a 
heavy fire began from the enem3''s ships, a number of float- 
ing batteries, and from a fortification of the enemy's upon 
Copp's Hill in Boston, directly opposite to our little redoubt. 
An incessant shower of shot and bombs was rained by these 
upon our woiks. The Provincials continued to labour inde- 
fatigably till they had thrown up a small breast- work, extend- 
ing from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the 
Hill, but were prevented completing it by the intolerable fire 
of the enemy. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 307 

■■ Between twelve and one o'clock a number of boats and 
barges, filled with the regular troops from Boston, were ob- 
served approaching towards Charlcstown ; these troops land- 
ed at a place called Moreton's Point, situated a little to the 
eastward of our works. This brigade formed upon their 
landing, and stood thus formed till a second detachment arri- 
ved from Boston to join them ; having sent out large flank 
guards, they began a very slow march towards our lines. At 
this instant smoke and flames were seen to arise from the 
town of Charlestown, which had been set on fire by the enemy. 

' The Provincials within their entrenchments impatiently 
waited the attack of the enemy, and reserved their fire till 
they came within 10 or 12 rods, and then began a furious 
discharge of small arms. This fire arrested the enemy, which 
they for some time returned, without advancing a step, and 
then retreated in disorder and with great precipitation to the 
place of landing, and some of them sought refuge even within 
their boats. Here the oflicers were observed, by the specta- 
tors on the opposite shore, to run down to them, using the 
most passionate gestures, and pushing the men forward with 
their swords. At length they were rallied, and marched up 
with apparent reluctance towards the entrenchment : the 
Americans again reserved their fire until the enemy came 
within five or six rods, and a second time put the Regulars to 
flight, who ran in great confusion towards their boats. Simi- 
lar and superior exertions were now necessarily made by the 
officers, which, notwithstanding the men discovered an almost 
insuperable reluctance to fighting in this cause, were again 
successful. They formed once more, and having brought 
some cannon to bear in such a manner as to rake the inside 
of the breast-work from one end of it to the other, the Pro- 
vincials retreated within their little fort. The ministerial ar- 
fny now made a decisive effort. The fire from the ships and 
batteries, as well as from the cannon in the front of their 
urray, was redoubled. The officers in the rear of their army 
were observed to goad forward the men with renewed exer- 
tions, and they attacked the redoubt on three sides at once. 
The breast- work on the outside of the fort was abandoned ; 
the ammunition of the Provincials was expended, and few of 
their arms were fixed with bayonets. Can it then be won- 
dered that the word was given by the commander of the par- 
ty to retreat ? But this he delayed till the redoubt was half 
filled with Regulars, and the Provincials had kept the enemy 
at bay some time, confronting them with the butt ends ol 
their muskets. 

' The retreat of this little handful of brave men would have 
been efTeclually cut off", had it not happened that the flanking 
pnrty of the enemy, wiiich was to have come upon 



308 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

the back of the redoubt, was checked by a party of the 
Provincials, who fought with the utmost bravery, and kept 
them from advancing farther than the beach ; the engage- 
ment of these two parties was kept up with the utmost vigour; 
and it must be acknowledged that this parly of the ministerial 
troops evidenced a courage worthy of a better cause ; all 
their efforts, however, were insufficient to compel the Provin- 
cials to retreat lill their main body had left the Hill ; perceiving 
this was done, they then gave ground, but with more regulari- 
ty than could be expected of troops who had no longer been 
under discipline, and many of whom never before saw an en- 
gagement. In this retreat, the Americans had to pass over 
the Neck, which joins the Peninsula of Charlestown to the 
main land. This Neck was commanded by the Glasgow 
man-of-war, and two floating batteries, placed in such a man- 
ner, as that their shot raked every part of it. The incessant 
fire kept up across this Neck had, from the beginning of the 
engagement, prevented any considerable reinforcements from 
getting to the Provincials on the Hill, and it was feared it 
would cut ofi' their retreat, but they retired over it with little 
or no loss. With a ridiculous parade of triumph, the minis- 
terial generals again took possession of the Hill which had 
served them as a retreat in flight from the battle of Concord. 

' The loss of the New-England army amounted, according 
to an exact return, to 145 killed and missing, and 304 woun- 
ded ; 30 of the first were wounded and taken prisoners by 
the enemy. Among the dead was Maj.Gcn. Joseph Warren, 
a man w^hose memory will be endeared to his countrymen, 
and to the worthy in every part and age of the world, so long 
as virtue and valour shall be esteemed among mankind.* The 
heroick Col. Gardner, of Cambridge, has since died of his 
wounds ; and the brave Lieut. Col. Parlour, of Chelmsford, 
who was wounded and taken prisoner, perished in Boston gaol.'' 

The British loss was 1054, according to the official return. 
Of these 226 were killed, including 19 oflkcrs, and 828 woun- 
ded, including 70 officers. 

The destruction of Charlestown was regarded by the A- 
mericans as an act of wanton barbarity : the British justified 
it, on account of the annoyance their troops received from the 
Provincials stationed in some of the houses. Many of the 
buildings were valuable. ' The meeting-house, a court-house, 
prison, county house, two school-houses, and a work-house, 



* GfD. Warren was Grand Master of Free-Masons for North America, nt (he time of his 
death. Near the spot on which he fell, the members of that fraternity in Charlestown erec- 
ted B mouumeni, which they dedicated to his iiieraory (l^ec. 2, 1794). It was a Tuscan 
|iUl«r, 18 feel high, on « brick foundation 10 feet fiom the ground, eight feet square, and 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



509 



with upwards of 380 other buildings were totally consumed, 
together with the furniture and efiects of the occupants, be- 
sides much property that belonged to the unhappy sulTcrers 
in Boston, who had removed their goods into Charlcstown.' 

The main body of the British troops was stationed, after 
the battle, in Charlestown, upon Bunker's Hill : the other di- 
vision of it was deeply intrenched and strongly fortified on 

enclosed by posts. On the top was a gilt urn, with the letters ' J. W. aged 35,' entwined in 
niasonick emblems. The subjoined view was taken a few weeks before the monument was 
destroyed. On the south side of the pedestal was the following inscription ; 




' Erected, A. D. MDCCXCIV. by King Solomon's Lodge of Free-Masons, constituted Im 
Charlestown, 1783, in memory of Major-General JOSEPH WARREN, and his Associates, 
who v/ere slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775. 

' None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of Liberty are worthy to enjoy her. 
In vain we toiled ; in vain we fought ; we bled in vain ; ifyou, our offspring, want valour ti> 
repel the assaults of her invaders.' 

'Charlestown settled 1628. Burnt 1775. Rebuilt 1776. 
' The end osed land was given by the Hon. James Russell.' 



310 HISTORY OF BOSTON, 

Boston Neck, leading to Roxbury. The American army lay 
on both sides of Charles river. Its right occupied the high 
ground about Roxbury, whence it extended towards Dorches- 
ter, and its left was covered by Mystick river, a space of at 
least twelve miles. Every pass was effectually guarded, and 
Boston was absolutely in a state of siege.* No provision of 
any kind for man or beast was allowed to enter : the troops 
and inhabitants were together reduced to great necessities : 
succours which had been ordered from other parts had been 
intercepted or lost at sea, and the small-pox broke out among 
the soldiers and spread among the people. 

General Washington had taken command of the American 
forces July 2d, and Gen. Gage had resigned the British to 
Gen. Howe, and sailed for England about the first of October. 
As the winter approached, the scarcity of fuel began to be 
sensibly felt. The Old North meeting-house and above 100 
other large wooden buildings were taken down and distribu- 
ted for firewood. Some of the wharves also at the north end 
were broken up for the same purpose. The British officers 
found little to amuse then), except the occasional performance 
of a farce, in Faneuil Hall, where they themselves were the 
actors. Their soldiers had enjoyed a single day of mirth, 
in which they were employed in felling Liberty Tree and 
cutting it up for fijel. A squadron of cavalry, attached to the 
army, occasionally exhibited feats of horsemanship in that 
sanctuary of freedom, the Old South church, which was 
transformed into a riding-school. Hollis-street, Brattle-street, 
the West, and the First Baptist meeting-houses were occupied 
as hospitals or barracks for the troops. 

Both parties were dissatisfied with so inactive a service. 
Washington ' had been some time contemplating an attack 
on Boston, as soon as he could be justified in attempting the 
execution of so bold a design. About the middle of Februar3^ 
177G,t the severe cold setting in. and the ice becoming suf- 
ficiently firm to bear the troops, he was disposed to make the 
attempt ; but a council of war, summoned on the occasion, 
being almost unanimous against the measure, he reluctantly 
abandoned it. 

' The eflcctive regular force of the Americans now amount- 
ed to upwards of fourteen thousand men ; in addition to which 
the commander in chief called out about six thousand of the 
militia of Massachusetts. With these troops he determined 
to take possession of the heights of Dorchester, whence it 
would be in his power greatl}' to annoy the ships in the har- 
bour and the soldiers in the town. By taking this position, 

* See an arcouni of the Forts around Boston, in SiUiinan's Journal, vlii. 338. 
t Uulmts' Aanali. 

/ 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 311 

from which the enemy would inevitably attempt to drive him, 
he expected to bring on a general action, during which he 
intended to cross over from Cambridge side with four thou- 
sand chosen men, and attack the town of Boston. To con- 
ceal his design, and to divert the attention of the garrison, a 
heavy bombardment of the town and lines of the enemy was 
begun on the evening of the 2d of March, and repeated the 
two succeeding nights. On the night of the 4th, immediately 
after the firing began, a considerable detachment, under the 
command of Gen. Thomas, passing from Roxbury, took silent 
possession of Dorchester heights. The ground v/as almost 
impenetrably hard, but the night was mild, and by labouring 
wiih great diligence, their works were so far advanced by morn- 
ing, as to cover them in a great measure from the shot of the 
enemy. When the British after day break discovered these 
works, which were magnified to the view by a hazy atmos- 
phere, nothing could exceed their astonishment. No alterna- 
tive now remained, but to abandon the town, or to dislodge 
the provincials. General Howe, with his usual spirit, chose 
the latter part of the alternative, and took measures for the 
embarkation on that very evening of five regiments with the 
light infantry and grenadiers, on the important but most haz- 
ardous service. The transports fell down in the evening to- 
wards the castle, with the troops, amounting to about two 
thousand men ; but a tremendous storm at night rendered 
the execution of the design absolutely impracticable. A 
council of war was called the next morning, and agreed to 
evacuate the town as soon as possible. A fortnight elapsed 
before that measure was effected. Meanwhile the Ameri- 
cans strengthened and extended their works ; and on the 
morning of the seventeenth of March the British discovered 
a breast work, that had been thrown up in the night at Nook's 
Hill, on Dorchester peninsula, which perfectly commanded 
Boston Neck, and the south part of the town. Delay was no 
longer safe. By four in the morning, the king's troops, with 
those Americans, who were attached to the royal cause, be- 
gan to embark ; and before ten all of them were under sail. 
As the rear embarked, general Washington marched trium- 
phantly into Boston, where he was joyfully received, as a de- 
liverer.'* 



* 'The British fleet, after a detention of nine days in Nantasket roads, set sail for Halifax. 
The number of the British, who evacuated Boston, exclusive of the staff, was 7575 ; and the 
addition of the marines and sailors is supposed to have rendered Howe 10,000 strong. They 
left their barracks standing, and a number of pieces of cannon spiked, 4 large iron sea mor- 
tars, and stores, to the value of 30,000/. They demolished the castle, and knocked off the 
trunnions of the cannon.' 

A detachment of the fleet remained to execute the Port Bill, by blockading the harbour, 
vmtil the 14th of June, when a strong force went down from Boston, and made so effectual 



312 HISIOUY Of BOSTON. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

' The laws, the rights, 



The generous plan of power delivered down 
From age to age, by your renown'd forefathers, 
So dearly bought, the price of so much blood." 



The inhabitants of Boston speedily returned to their homes, 
and on the 29th of March thcj held a regular meeting for 
the choice of town otiiccrs, in the Old Brick church.* May 
meeting for the choice of representatives was iicld on the 23d 
of that month, and the following step was taken relative to a 
declaration of independence : 

' The article in the warrant, viz : — To consider whether the 
town will, in conformity to a Resolve of the late Honourable 
Plouse of Representatives for this Colony [on the lOih of May] 
advise their Representatives, "That if the Honourable Conti- 
nental Congress should, for the safety of the Colonies, de- 
clare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain they, 
the inhabitants, will solemnly engage with their lives and for- 
tunes, to support them in the measure," was read, and duly 
considered, and the question being accordingly put, passed in 
the affirmative unanimously.' 

The instructions to the representatives expressed the same 
sentiments, and contained also many very judicious remarks 
concerning the establishment of a regular government for the 
people of Massachusetts. The declaration of Independence, 
bearing the signature of the proscribed Hancock, as President 
of the Congress that issued it, on the 4th of July, 1776, was made 
publick at Boston on the 18th with great parade and exultation. t 

The subject of a state constitution was taken into consider- 
ation by the general court, without delay : but it was not till 
the year 1780 that our present form was adopted, after the 
rejection of a previous plan. Several meetings were held in 



an attack upon thera as to compel theru to leave their station, and take the advant.ige of a 
westerly wind to sail for Halifax. Had the wind continued from tl>e east, they must inev- 
itably have surrendered. 

Several transports arrived at different dates some weeks after the evacuation of the town, 
not having received iuformalion of the fact, and were taken. The number of prisoners 
amounted to about 500. 

• The people of Boston had assembled twice or three times at Watertown, for the trans- 
action of town aflairs, during the siege. Thundny lecture had been continued by Dr. An- 
drew Eliot until about the 23d of Dec. and was renewed immediately after the evacuation 
of the town, on the 28th of March, when Washington attended. 

t Bradf<jrd, llbi. of Mass. ii. 101, 116, 186,320,326. 



HISTORY OF BOSTO.V. 313 

Boston on the occasion, and the debates were very animated. 
The town finally agreed to the adoption of the constitution, 
recommending some amendments. A majority of the people 
accepting the plan as it stood, the 4th of Sept. was appointed for 
the election of the state officers. The votes for governour in 
Boston were 923, of which Hancock had 858, Boudoin G4, 
S. Adams 1. The Gen. Court met on the 25t[i of October, 
when it was ascertained that Hancock was elected governour 
by a great majority. There was no choice of Lt. Gov. by 
the people; Mr. Bowdoin was chosen by the court, but de- 
clined; so likewise did James Warren Esq. of Plymouth; 
Thomas Gushing Esq. of Boston accepted the office. 

The joy, which the p.'ople of Boston could not suppress on 
this occasion, from ' having a Governour who proceeded out 
of the midst of us,' was signified to Gov. Hancock in an ad- 
dress from the selectmen, to which he returned an answer, 
concluding with the assurance that in whatever situation his 
country should please to place him, the metropolis of this 
commonwealth might ever depend upon his particular atten- 
tion to its interests. 

From the time of the evacuation of the town and the rout 
of the British fleet from the lower harbour, Boston and its vi- 
cinity had ceased to be the seat of the war. The citizens 
however bore their full portion in its burdens, and took part 
in its fatigues and duties by sea and land, as well as in the 
councils of the Congress and embassies to foreign parts. 
They maintained throughout the contest that no terms should 
be made with Britain, unaccompanied with the unconditional 
acknowledgment of itidependence. They were not however 
desirous to prolong the warfare, and received as joyfully as 
any of their countrymen the intelligence of peace. The 
proclamation of Congress announcing this event, reached 
Boston by express, on the 23d of April,! 733, and ' the sheriff 
of the CO. of Suffolk, Jos. Henderson Esq. announced the 
same from the balcony of the State-house, at one o'clock, be- 
fore which a large concourse of the most respectable inhab- 
itants of the town were assembled, who demonstrated by 
three loud huzzas their joy upon this occasion: after which 
13 cannon from the fortresses at the castle, and the same 
number at Fort-hill were fired.' 

The adoption of the Federal Constitution was an event of 
equal importance. The Massachusetts convention, which as- 
sembled on this subject, in January 1788, consisted of 360 
members, of whom a great portion came with strong prejudi- 
ces against the constitution : but after a discussion of several 
weeks, when the question of acceptance was finally decided, 
there were found to be 187 for. and 168 against it, giving a 
40 



314 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

majority of 19. This decision was declared ' on the 6th of 

Feb. in a manner too impressive fo be forgotten by any who 
were present.'* The citizens of Boston expressed great joy on 
the occasion, which was manifested by a numerous procession 
composed of all classes and trades, with their respective and 
appropriate badges. Many farmers and others attended from 
the country and joined the procession, with the plough and 
other implements of husbandry. They formed at Faneuil- 
hall, and thence proceeded to the houses of the gentlemen, 
who had represented the town in the convention, and saluted 
them with cheers and from the guns of a small ship, which 
made part of the procession. Afterwards, as many as could 
find seats partook of an entertainment at the hall; but mul- 
titudes we are told went away emptj'. 

The principal events of the revolutionary war and other 
important dates having been preserved in the inscriptions on 
the monument, which was erected on Beacon Hill, we insert 
the same here, with a drawing of the nionument and of the 
beacon whose place it occupied. The beacon was blown 
down (Nov. 26, 1789) and the monument was commenced in 
the next year, but not finished till the spring of 1791. It was 
' a plain column of the Dorick order, raised on its proper pe- 
destal, substantially built of brick and stone. It was encrust- 
ed with a while cement, and had a large eagle of wood, gilt, 
at the top, supporting the American arms. The height, in- 
cluding the eagle, was 60 feet ; the diameter of the column 
was 4 feet, the pedestal was 8 feet.' The beacon was about 
the same height. 

INSCRIPTION ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE MONUMENT. 

TO COMMT^MORATK THAT TnAIN OF EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE AMERICA!* 
HETOLCTION, ASD FINALLT SECURED LIBERTY ANU INDEPENDENCE TO THE 
CKITED STATES, THIS COLUMN IS ERECTED BT THE VOLV.NTARY CONTUIBU- 
TION OF THE CITIZENS OF BOSTOX, 

MDCCXC. 

ON THE WEST SIDE : 

Stamp Act passH, 1765, repealed, 1766.— Board of customs establisheU, 1767.— British troops 
fired on the inhabitants of Boston, March 5, 1770. — Tea act pasf^ed, 1773.— Tea destroyed in 
Boston, Decern. 16.— Port of Boston shut and puarded, June 1, 1774.— General Congress 
at Philadelphia, Sep. 4. — Provincial Congress at Concord, Oct. 11. — Battle of Lexington, 
April 19, 1775.— Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17.— Washington took command of the 

army, July 2 Boston evacuated, March 17, 1776.— Independance declared by Congress, 

July 4, 1776 i Hancock President. 



* The seuion of the convention on that day was held in the meetinp house, in Long^-lant, 
which afterwards received the name of Fcdcral-Strcct, from this circumslunce. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



315 



ON THE NORTH SIDE : 

T> oc iT^R ranture of Hessians at Bennington, Aug. 
Capture ofllessians at Trenton, Dec. 2b, 1776._Capture of ^^^^ 

16,t777._Captu.e of British ar.y at ^'^^'^^^^ ^'^ ^^^^^^, ,, Massa.hu- 

1778.-Confede.-atio„of the United States lormed, --"'y ^- ^°"^"^ ^,,,y ,, 

... .r.ea,mO. Oowaoin Pfesi..nt "^ ^;;;;;^:;^:Z:.:L ^Ly o. ^... 

York, Oct. 19, I781.-Preli.nenaries of Peace, Nov. 30, 1782 De 

sept. 10, 1783._Federa. Constitution forced, Sept. r, ^^^^^^^Z^^^^,,.. 

States, 1787 to 1790.-New Congress assembled at New,\ork, Ap..l , 

inaugurated President, April 30.-PubUck debts funded. Aug. 4, 1790. 

ON THE EAST SIDE : 
AMERICANS 
WHILE .nOM r«I8 KMINBKCK, SCEKES O. ..XUniAKX rERTI»TY, O, rLOUK. 
XSaiNO COMMEUCE, AM. THE ABODES Or SOCIAL HAPPINESB MEET .OCU . IE , 
.OUGET XOX THOSE, WHO B. THEIR EXERTIONS HAVE SECURED TO TOU 
BLESSINGS. 

VIEW OF THE BEACON AND MONUMENT ON BEACON-HlLt.« 




. • ..he inscriptions, (which we have copied literaUy) with the eagle 
* The stones bearing the inscriptions, v 
which surmounted the column, may be seen in the uew State House. 



316 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



CHAPTER LV. 

Famed as the Appian way, 
The world's first bridge to day 
All nations shall convey 

From shore to shore. — Datots. 

Having thus noticed the principal publick events of general 
interest, we shall devote the remainder of our work to ac- 
counts of the various improvements, institutions, and under- 
takings, which ha\e en^'aged the attention of the people of 
Boston, since the revolution. 

The first great undertaking, (which at the time was consid- 
ered the greatest that had ever been projected in America,*) 
was the erection of ' a bridge over Charles river in the place 
where the ferry between Boston and Charlestown was kept.' 
The Act, wliich incorporated Messrs. John Hancock, Thomas 
Kussell, Naih. Gorham, and Eben Parsons and others, who 
had subscribed to a fund for executing and completing this 
purpose, was j^asscd March 9, 1785, and the bridge was so 
far completed that the last pier was ready to be put down on 
the 31st of May, 1786. 

On the 17th of .lunc, the bridge was opened for passengers. 
Preparations had been made for great festivity on the occa- 
sion. Salutes of 13 guns were fired at sunrise from Bunker 
and Copps' hills, and the bells of Christ church rang repeat- 
ed peals. This salute formed a contrast so striking, compar- 
ed with the hostile and bloody one of the same day, of the 
same month, and of the week, in '75, as to excite in every 
breast emotions of the happiest kind. At one, P. M.the pro- 
prietors ' assembled in the [Okl] State-house, for tiie purpose 
of waiting on the diflVrcnt bi-anchcs of the legislature over the 
bridge. The procession consisted of almost every I'cspecta- 
ble character in publick and private life ; as they moved from 



* In a |>aniphlet on 'the distressed state of Boston,' 1720, »ve fiml the follow iii-; remark; 
'if there was a bridge built over Charles Hiver, if 50,000/. were expended to make it durable, 
and so a moderate toll laid on all carts, coaches, horses, AiC. this would help us by employ- 
ing the poor, and the circulation of the bills would be of great service, and other things of 
this nature might be thought on.' On thetown records, we find, April 27, 1720, 'Voted that 
it be given as an iubtruction to the representatives of this town, now chosen, to promote lb« 
building a bridge over Charles Hiver, at the place where the ferry hath been usoally kept, 
*jz. between Mr. (iee's and Mr. Hudson's point, and at no other place.' 

In 1726, Town Itec. p. 4(i7, there is mention of a proposed bridge from Winnessirael ferry 
10 Noddle's Island, by Juhu Veamans, Esq. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 317 

State-Street, a salute was fired from the Castle ; and upon 
their arrival at the entrance of the bridge, the attendant com- 
panies of artillery and artificers, formed two lines on the right 
and left of the proprietors, and moved on to the centre of the 
bridge, when the President of the proprietary advanced 
alone, and gave orders to Mr. ('ox, the master workman, to 
fix the draw for the passage of the company, which was im- 
mediately done. At this moment 13 cannon were fired from 
Copps' hill, and the procession pnssed forward, attended by 
the loudest shouts of acclamation, from a concourse of at 
least 20,000 spectators. As the company ascended Breed's 
hill, 13 cannon were discharged. The gentlemen took their 
seats at two tables of 320 feet, united at each end by a semi- 
circular one, which accommodated 800 persons, who spent 
the day in sober festivity, and separated at 6 o'clock.' 

The following description of Charles-river bridge was pub- 
lished at the lime, as taken from actual survey. ' The abut- 
ment at Charlestown, from the old landing, is 100 feet ; space 
to the first pier 16^ feet ; 3G piers at equal distances to the 
draw 6221 feet ; width of the draw 30 feet ; 39 piers at equal 
distances from the draw G72 feet ; space to the abutment at 
Boston 16| feet ; abutment at Boston to the old landing A5^ 
feet; whole length 1503 feet. 

' The 75 piers total, upon which this elegant structure 
stands, are each composed of 7 sticks of oak timber, united 
by a cap piece, strong braces and girls, and afterwards driv- 
en into the bed of the river, and firmly secured by a single 
pile on each side, driven obliquely to a solid bottom. The 
piers are connected to each other by large string-pieces, 
which are covered with 4 inch plank. The Bridge is 42 
feet in width, and on each side is accommodated with a pas- 
sage 6 feet wide, railed in for the safely of people on foot. 
The Bridge has a gradual rise from each end, so as to be two 
feet higher in the middle than at the extremities. Forty ele- 
gant lamps are erected at suitable distances, to illuminate it 
when necessary. There are four strong stone wharves con- 
nected with three piers each, sunk in various parts of the 
river. 

' The floor of the Bridge at the highest tides, is 4 feet above 
the water, which generally rises about 12 or 14 feet. The 
distance where the longest pier is erected, from the floor of 
the Bridge to the bed of the river, is 4G| feet.' 

The cost of this bridge has been staled at £l 5,000, lawful, 
and the property was divided into 150 shares of £l00 each. 
Rates of toll, to be double on Lord's days, were established, 
by the act of incorporation, which the proprietors were to en- 
joy for forty years, paying to the college at Cambridge an 
annuity of £200, in consideration of their loss of income from 



318 ' HISTORY Ol' BOSTOA-. 

the ferrj. This period was extended to 70 years, and the 
double toll repealed, when the charter was granted for West 
Boston Bridge, at the expiration of which period the property 
reverts to the state. 

There had been considerable effort to have the first bridge 
carried from West Boston to Cambridge, but the expediency 
of making the experiujenl across the narrower part of the 
river was so apparent, that the town of Boston had expressed 
an opinion almost unanimous (1^38 to 2) in favour of it. 

West Boston Bridge is a conveyance from the late Pest- 
house point, at the west end of Cambridge-street, over Charles 
river, to the opposite shore in Cambridge. A number of gen- 
tlemen, (Francis Dana, Oliver Wendell, James Sullivan, Hen- 
ry Jackson, Miingo Mackiiy, Wm. AVetmore.) were incorpora- 
ted for the purpose of erecting this bridge, March 9th, 1792. 

' The causeway to W. Boston bridge was begun July 15th, 
1792, and suspended after the 26th of December, till the 20th 
of March 1793, when the work was resumed. The wood 
work of the bridge was begun the 8th of April, 1793, and the 
bridge and causeway opened for passengers the 2 od of No- 
vember following, being seven months and an half from lay- 
ing the first pier. The sides of the causeway are stoned, 
capstand, and railed ; on each side of which is a canal about 
thirty feet wide. 

'The bridge stands on 180 piers, is ...... 3483 feet longf. 

Bridge over the gore, 14 do. ---.-.-. 275 do. 

Abutment Boston side, -.--..... 87 1-2 

Causeway, 3344 

Distance from end «f the causeway to Cambridge Meeting-house, - 7810 

Width of the bridge, 40 

Railed on each side for foot passengers. 

' To the proprietors a toll was granted for 70 years from 
the opening of the bridge,* which together with the causeway 
was estimated to have co^t about £23,000, 1. m. The prin- 
cipal undertaker for building the bridge, was Mr.Whiiing.' 

Those two bridges and the neck continued to be the only 
avenues to the town, landward, until the opening of South 
Boston Bridge. This grew out of the project for annexing 
Dorchester Neck (so called) to Boston, as a part of the same 
town. In the latter end of 1803, there were but ten families 
on that peninsula, which comprised an extent of 5G0 acres of 
land. These families united with several citizens of Boston 
in a petition to the town (Dec. 27) for the privilege of being 

' This term has since been eiteiidt'd to 70 years from the opening of Crnipie's bridge. 
Wen Boston to pay the College 200/. annually, and Craigies lo pay West Boston lOO/. during 
their joint exihlcncc 



HISTOKY OF BOSTOX. 319 

annexed thereto, ' upon the single condition that the inhabi- 
tants [of B.] will procure a bridge to be erected between Bos- 
ton and Dorchester neck.' On the 31st of Jan. 1804, after 
several confused meetings on the subject, the town agreed to 
the proposition, on condition ' that the place fi'om which and 
the terms on which the bridge should be built shall be left 
entirely to the Legislature.' Application was made to the 
General Court, and measures were in train for authorising a 
bridge from South-Street to the point. The inhabitants of 
the South-end of the town, having opposed this measure in 
vain thus far in its progress, formed a plan at this juncture, in 
which they proposed to erect a bridge where the present 
bridge stands, and, to obviate the objection that such a bridge 
would not lessen the distance from the point so much as the 
South-street bridge would, they offered to construct a commo- 
dious street, across the flats from Raiiisford's lane to the head 
of the proposed bridge. They presented a petition to the 
Court to be incorporated for these purposes ' upon the pre- 
sumption that no liberty will be granted for the erection of 
any other bridge,' to the northward of their bridge, ' unless 
at some future period the increased settlement of this part of 
the country should be such, that the publick exigencies should 
require the same.' This plan and petition met with so fa- 
vourable a reception, that the Dorchester point proprietors 
were induced to make a compromise with the South-end peti- 
tioners, in which it was agreed, that the South-Street bridge 
should be abandoned, and that the South-end bridge should 
be transferred to the Dorchester company, and the proposed 
street be carried forward by the petitioners. A joint com- 
mittee made a report on the bases of this compromise, w hich 
was accepted in concurrence, F<>b 23d ; and on the 6th of 
March, bills were passed for the three objecti>, the annexation 
of Dorchester neck to Boston, the incorporation of the Pro- 
prietors of Boston South Bridge, and also of the Front-Street 
Corporation in the town of Boston. 

Messrs. William Tudor, Gardiner Green, Jona. Mason, and 
Harrison Gray Otis, were the proprietors named in Boston 
South Bridge act.* Seventy years' improvf merit was allov\ed, 
from the date of the first opening of said bridge for passen- 
gers, which took place ' in the summer of 1805.' On the first 
of October, it was the scene of a militarj^ display and sham 
fight. This bridge is 1351 feet in length, and cost the pro- 
prietors about 56,000 dollars. 



* The proprietors of Roxbury canal (incorporated Feb. 7, 179G) procured the insertion of 
a clause in the act, requiring the South Ijoston bridge proprietors to pay a certain sum to 
vessels passing above the draw. 



320 HISTORY OF KOSTftN. 

Canal or Craigie's Bridge was opened on Commencement- 
day, August 30, 1809. It runs from B.irton's pt. in Boston, to 
Lechmere's pt. in Cambridge. Its length is 279G j't. ; its width, 
40 ft. This bridge on the Cambridge side is united toCharles- 
town by Prison-point bridge, which is 1821 ft. long, and 35 
ft. broad, having but one side railed for foot passengers. 

All these bridges are well lighted by lamps when the even- 
ings are dark, and the lights, placed at rcijular distances, 
have a splendid and romantic appearance. The rates of toll 
are the same on Charlestown, Craigie's and W. Bosion. Pas- 
sengers to and from Cambridge over Prison-point bridge 
are not subject to toll. Foot passengers arc not taxed on 
South-Boston bridge, but the rates for vehicles, &c. are rather 
higher. The construction of all these bridges is said to be 
similar, excepting that Craigie's is covered with a layer of 
gravel, and some [>art of it has been rccentlj^ Macadamized.* 

The Western Avenue, or Mill Dam, erected by the Boston 
and Roxbiiry Mill Corporation, from Beacon-street in Boston 
to Sewall's point in Brookline, constitutes a sixth avenue into 
the city. The project for this great work was brought before 
the town in a petition from Isaac P. Davis and others, June 
11, 1813, and the inln[)itants having given their assent to its 
execution, on certain conditions, Messrs. I. P. Davis, Uriah 
Cotting, VVm. Brown, and their associates, were incorporated 
for the purpose. June 1 4, 1 8 1 4. Very little was done towards 
the accom[jlish!nent of this object before January 1818, when 
Mr. Cottir)g issued an address to the publick, setting forth the 
advantages to be derived to Boston from the coniemflated 
improvement. Subsci-iption papers were not long after ojjen- 
ed, and all the shares were immediately taken on one day, 
and the next d;iy were on sale at an advanced price. The 
work was commenced under the eye of Mr. Cottinsr, but he 
did not live to witness its completion : his place was supplied 
by Col. Loammi Baldwin, and the road was opened for pas- 
sengers, J ulj'- 2,1821. There was a splendid ceremony on 
the occasion : a cavalcade of citizens, under the direction of 
Adj. Gen. \Vm. H. Sumner, at an early hour entered the 
town over the dam, and were welcomed on tins side by the 
inhabitants, who waited to receive them. 

The main Dam is composed of solid materials, water-tight : 
its surface is three or four feet above high- water mark : it is 
fifty feet in width in the narrowest part, and 100 in the widest, 
and one mile and a half in length. The rates of toll arc the 
same as at West-Boston bridge. 

• Persunt named in net incorpornlinp the Canal Bridpp, Keli. 27, 1807. John C. Jones, 
Loammi U.il<l«vin, Aiiron Di-xter, Ilpnjnmin Wild, Jos. Coolidgejun. Benja. Joy, Gorliam 
ParsouK, Jona. IngiTsoll, JoLn Utach, Abi^jali Cliecver, Wni. D. Hutcliins, Stephen Howard, 
•od Andrew CrBi|;ie. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 321 



CHAPTER LVI. 

** Then Commerce brought into the publick walk 
The busy merchant ; the big warehouse built ; 
Then, too, the pillar'd dome, magnifick, heav'd 
Its ample roof." 

In noticing the changes which took place in various parts 
of the town, after the peace, prior to the establishment of the 
city government, we have occasion first to mention an exten- 
sive lire, wliich occurred on Friday, April 20, 1787. It com- 
menced about sunset, in a malt-house belonging to William 
Patten, in Beach-street. The wind at N. E. blowing hard 
carried the flakes to a great distance, so that many houses 
were on fire at the same moment. In less than fifteen minutes 
the spire of the Hollis-street meeting-house, nearly 30 rods 
from where the fire began, was seen to catch, and the whole 
edifice was in a short time burnt to the ground. The build- 
ings consumed were about 100, of which 60 were dwelling- 
houses, some elegant and costly. Both sides of the main 
street were laid waste : the east from Mr. Knapp's to Mr. 
Bradford's, and from Mrs. Inches' to Mr. Osborne's on the 
west : that is, from Elliot to Nassau-street on the west side 
of the main street, and on the east side from Beach-street to 
the corner opposite Nassau-street. The buildings which were 
erected on the ruins were mostly of wood, three stories high, 
some of them neat and very elegant. 

The first block of brick buildings was the range called the 
Tontine, in Franklin-street. Until the year 1792, that street 
had lain in an unimproved state. There was a slough or 
quagmire at the lower part of it, and the project to build in its 
neighbourhood was deemed almost quixotick. A plan was 
brought forward for erecting a block there, on the principles 
of the tontine, as practised in other parts of the world.* Sub- 
scribers were to furnish stipulated sums towards the accom- 
plishment of the object, to be invested in a capital stock, 
which was to be improved to the best advantage, and at the 
expiration of a term of years to be divided among the surviv- 
ing subscribers. The Legislature discouraged this plan by 

• The slough was first drained l)y Jos. Barrel!, esq. who connected it with his land in 
Summer-street, and laid it out as a garden : he afterwards sunk a large fish-pond 
on the same spot, and stored it with go!d and silver fish, and ornaraerrted it with a hand- 
some fountain. 

41 



322 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

refusing an act of incorporation : but the work proceeded un- 
der a different arrangement, and the foundation of the build- 
ings on the south side was laid August 8, 1793. 1'hese form- 
ed a Crescent of sixteen dwelling-houses, extending 480 feet 
in length, three stories high, finished in the modern style. The 
general appearance is simple and uniform. The outline is 
varied by a large arch, having publick rooms over it, with an 
attick in the centre, and two houses at each end, which pro- 
ject in advance and are decorated with pilasters and a balus- 
trade. The open space in front of these buildings is 100 feet 
wide in the centre and 50 ft. at the ends. A grass plat 300 ft. 
long occupies the middle of that space : it is inclosed, and con- 
tains a monumental urn, in memory of Dr. Franklin. The 
opposite side, which is built on a straight line, in a varied style 
of architecture, consists of eight houses, in four blocks, which 
constitute what is called Franklin-place. Messrs. William 
Scollay, Charles Bulfinch, and Charles Vaughan, were the 
principal agents in this great improvement. 

A very distressing fire occurred on the morning of July 30, 
1794. which laid waste the extensive square between Pearl- 
street, Milk, Atkinson, and Purchase streets, to the sea. It 
commenced about 4 A. M. in the rope-walk of Mr. Edward 
Howe, and communicated to six other walks adjacent, 
of which one was two stories high, and all 600 feet in length, 
well stored with hemp and other materials adapted to the 
trade. The wind holding N.N.E. till near the close of the fire, 
prevented the devastation from extending so far, as almost 
any other wind would inevitably have carried it. Ninety-six 
buildings, of which 43 were dwelling-houses, were consumed. 
The amount of losses, rendered to a committee of the town, 
was *«k209,8G1 50, exclusive of several large sums not ex- 
hibited. 

Great interest was at this time excited in favour of remov- 
ing the rope walks from the heart of the town. Lcchmere's 
point was proposed by some as a suitable location for them, 
but the town ' in a moment of sympathy and feeling for the 
sufferings of particular individuals,' voluntarily gave them the 
right of using the land at the bottom of the Common.* By 
this disposition a very fine square was left open, capable of 
making many valuable building lots ; it is now covered by 
some of the most eligible houses in the city. 



* Six ropewalks were erected at the bottom of the Common ; they were all destroyed by 
fire. feb. 18, 1806 ; five being rebuilt, four of them were a^in burnt in the fall of 
18iy, 8od ill the course of the year 1824, the city purchabCd the rights of the ropewalk 
owners, by which the property h«s reverted to the iiiliabitants, and the waUs are removed 
to the neck and loiU-dara. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 323 

In the month of May, 1795, the town purchased of Gov. 
Hancock's heirs the spot of land on which the State-house 
stands, and transferred it to the Commonwealth. On the 4th 
of July the corner-stone of this edifice, which makes so strik- 
ing a figure in every view of Boston, was laid witli great cer- 
emony. The stone was drawn to the spot by 15 white horses, 
(then the number of States in the Union,) and laid by the 
Governour, assisted by the Grand Masters of masonick lod- 
ges. A silver plate, bearing the name of :he depositors, and 
many pieces of current money, were placed beneath the stone.* 

Ttiis building is of an oblong form, ' 173 ft. front and 61 
deep. It consists externally of a basement story, twenty leet 
high, and a principal story thirty feet. This, in the centre ot 
the front, is covered with an attic sixty feet wide, twenty feet 
high, which is covered with a pediment. Immediately above 
this rises a dome, fifty feet diameter, and thirty high ; the 
whole terminates with an elegant circular lantern support- 
ing an elegant pine cone. The basement story is finished 
plain on the wings with square windows. The centre is 9-4 
feet in length, and formed of arches which project 14 feet ; 
they form a covered walk below ; and support a colonnade ot 
Corinthian columns of the same extent above. The outside 
walls are of large patent bricks, with white marble fascias, 
imposts, and keyslones.' The body of the building is paint- 
ed of a Portland-stone colour ; the dome of a bronze. 

The foundation of this edifice is about 100 feet above the 
level of the harbour, and its elevation and size make it a very 
conspicuous object. Two flights of stairs lead to the top of 
the outer dome, 1 70 steps from the foundation. The vie*v from 
this dome affords one of the most interesting and beautiful 
spectacles. The eye embraces at once every avenue and 
every publick building in the city, and overlooks the towns 
adjacent ' all speckled with white houses and country seats 
amidst groves and luxuriant fields.' At our feet, on the right, 
we see the mansion house of Hancock, (a venerable stone 
building of eighty years standing) and in front is spread the 
common, like a splendid carpet of green, bounded on all sides 
by the malls closely shaded by trees of various growth, over 
which the great elm in the middle of the common, (near to an 
old redoubt and beside a small artificial pond,) seems to com- 



'^ The inscription was as follows . This Coi-ner Stone of a building intended foi- the use of 
the Legislative and Extmttive branches of Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
luas laid by His Excellency Samuel Mams Esq. Governour of said Commortzcealth, assisted 
by the most )Vorshipfu.l Paul Revere, Grand Master and the Right iVorshipful IVilliam Sed- 
ley, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand fVardens and brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts on the fourth day of July An. Dom. 1795. A.L- 5735 being the KXth anniversary 
of American Independence. 



324 HISTORY UF BOSTON. 

mand the whole.with the majpstick waving of his huge branch- 
es, the growth of a century.* East, lies in full view, the sight 
iinobsiructed in its farthest reach, the ocean and the harbour, 
bespangled with islands, almost as numerous and said to be 
equally as charming as those which beautify the bay of Na- 
ples : all together combining to make this view one of the 
most delightful panoramas that the world aflbrds.t 

'The New Alms-house, so called,! ^^ which stood till May, 
1823, in Leverett-Strcet) was built in the year 1800: the 
Overseers of the poor held their first meeting in it, Dec. 
3d. It was an oblong building, pleasantly situated on the 
bank of Charles river, measuring 270 feet front, and 56 deep. 
It consisted of a basement story, divided into three large kitch- 
ens, and a number of commodious rooms, which were im- 
proved for work-shops and other purposes. Above were three 
upright stories, which gave forty-eight rooms, 24 by 22 feet ; 
four staircases, 10 feet in width, leading through the several 
stories. In the centre was a hall 40 by 50, and a chapel 
above of the same dimensions ; each of them being about 15 
feet in height. The large arched windows were finished with 
fluted pilasters of the Ionic order. The outside walls were 
of large bricks, with white marble fascias, imposts and key- 
stones, and the roof covered with slate. Four brick parti- 
tions ran through the building, in which stood the chimnics, 
containing a funnel for every room. The whole building 
%vas enclosed with brick walls and handsome gates. The 
front and rear yards were 80 by 280 feet.' 

West Row, the next oldest range of brick buildings, on the 
west side of Court street, between Hanover street and Bow- 



* Tlie heigUl of the Great Tree on tUe Cummou is 65 feet ; tlie girtb, at 30 inches from the 
ground, is '21 ft. 8 inches. The extent of the branches is 86 feet. 

f The new State house was first occupied by tl)e LegL<ilature on the 1 1th of January, 1798. 
The several branches of the Gcu. Court marched in procession from the old state house, and 
the new building was solemnly dedicated ' to the honour of God and the people's good.' 
Rev. Dr. Thacher oflered the dedicatory prayer. 

t The old Alms house, Work house and Bridewell, together with the Granar\' were situa- 
ted on Park Street. The Gmyiary was a long wooden building at the corner of Common 
tU capable of containing 12000 bushels of grain, which it was customary for a coaimiliee, 
annually appointed by the town, to have stored in it for the accommodation of tlie poor and 
otherswho wished to purchase in small quantities, at au advance on the wholesale price not 
exceeding ten jier cent. The Ainu house was a two story brick building, in the form of an L, 
with a gable roof, appropriated to the aged and infirm j>oor. The l^ork house was a large 
brick building, 120 feet long, two stories high with a gable roof for the reception of vagrant, 
Idle and dissolute persons. Bride-well was contiguous to the workhouse, and was a sort of 
prison for the disorderly : a part of the house was assigned to the insane. 

The first pro|>osal for an Alms house on the Town records occurs in Nov. lt;60. In Feb. 
1665, a person is admitted into the Alms house. Dec. 18, 1682, the Alms house being burnt a 
new one is proposed : it was building Juue 2, 1686. The Work-house was built iu 17US. 



HISTOUY OF BOSTON. S26 

doin square, was erected in 1 800. South Row, a handsome 
block of stores belonging to the Old South church, and situate 
on the land adjoining it, was completed about the same time. 

On the 16th of December, 1801, a destructive fire happened 
in Fish and Ann streets. It commenced in a large wooden 
building in the rear of [now] No. 95, Ann st. and immediately 
communicated to the houses in front. Thence it extended 
north on the east side of Fish street to Swett's wharf, consum- 
ing every house. On the west side of Ann street no house 
was burnt, although the street was then ten feet narrower 
than it is at present ; but every building from Cross street to 
the one opposite Swett's wharf was burnt, or pulled down to 
arrest the progress of the flames. The next year, 1802, sev- 
eral brick buildings were erected on the ruins, and the block 
on the west side of Fish street received the name of North 
Row. 

The law to prevent the ercciion of wooden buildings more 
than ten feet high was passed Feb. 9, 1803. It was an act in 
addition to an act to secure the town of Boston from damage 
by fire, and its provisions were so faithfully executed that 
none other than brick or stone buildings were raised from 
that time, until the recent modification of the law. 

The town land, on which the old Alms house &:c. stood, had 
been sold to individuals some time before the removal of the 
inmates took place, and very shortly after that, the block of 
four buildings on Park Street, adjoining the meeting house 
was put up. So far as we can ascertain this was the first of 
the improvements near the State house and common. By the 
fall of 1804,thc houses on Beacon street at (he corner of Park 
street were erected. Hamilton place was finished in 1806, 
and Bumstead place not long after. Pinckney street, Myrtle 
street, Hancock street and the whole extent of Mount Ver- 
non, which in 1799 presented a dreary waste on which only 
three decent houses were to be seen, began to present the ap- 
pearance of improvement, and in a very little time were cover- 
ed with extensive ranges of some of the best houses in the 
town. By the year 1806, they became the resort of wealth 
and fashion, and subsequent improvements have made that 
neighbourhood the most eligible of any part of the city. 

Beacon hill and the eminences west of it were levelled, and 
their materials served to fill up the millpond, which the mill 
proprietors (the successors of Henry Simons, &,c. see p. 124) 
obtained the consent of the tov.n to do, May 14, 1804. The 
proprietors had been incorporated, by the name of the Boston 
Mill Corporation, March, 9, 1804 ; and on March 1 1th, 1806. 
certain associates were incorporated under the name of the 
Pond Street Corporation ' for the purpose of making a street 
from the Boston side of Charles River Bridge, across the Mill 



32G HISTORY OF BOSTOIf. 

Pond, in the most convenient route to connect with Middle 
street.' to be laid out by the Selectmen as a publick street and 
to be at least GO ft. wide. That street, which by admeasure- 
ment is 1 980 ft. in length was commenced without delay. The 
proprietors having made arrangements for the accommoda- 
tion of the Baptist churches abutting on the pond, they came 
to a definite agreement with the lown July -24, 1807, that the 
town, ' waive and release the conditions and obligations annex- 
ed to the said original grant, for a just and valuable consid- 
eration, and that the premises should be filled up and made 
lit for building by excluding the water; and the said Propri- 
etors arc content in exchange for such release to fill up and 
convert the premises into solid land, and to grant and confirm 
to the town of Boston forever an estate in [cc simple, in and to 
one eighth lot so filled up, of every tract or portion of the prem- 
ise?, which shall, within twenty years from this date, be filled 
up and converted into solid land, within and without the pres- 
ent existing causeway, and one undivided n)oiety of every lot 
or portion of the premises, which at the expiration of said 
term shall not be filled up and converted into solid land, or 
boxed out in a manner equivalent to filling up.' The princi- 
pal part of the pond is already filled up, and the whole super- 
ficies is laid out into squares and streets of convenient breadth. 
Several brick buildings were early erected on the made land, 
at the bottom of Friend street and of Cross street. The New 
street (as Mill-pond-street, G. d. 35, is yet familiarly called) 
considerably shortens the distance between Charlestown and 
the centre of Boston.* A canal passing through the mill- 
creek unites the river with the harbour,and receives the boats 
from Middlesex canal with their cargoes of wood, stone and 
produce. AVhen the pond is wholly filled up, the area of the 
peninsula will have been increased about 43 acres. 

Jt was about this time that Copps' hill began to be dug away, 
and a few brick buildings were erected in Lynn-street, in 
1806, about Hon.Wm.Gray's whf. and on the opposite side of 
the street. These were the principal improvements at the 
north part of the town. A fire which happened, Aug. 18th 
destroyed six houses, between Ann (then Fish) st. and the 
North square. It commenced at nine o'clock in the evening, 
in the third house from Mountfort's corner. Very great ex- 
ertions were necessary to prevent its extending across the 
street and communicating to many of the neighbouring houses, 
which at that time were all of wood and very near each oth- 
er. A few brick buildings have risen slowly on this spot, and 



' Another Mreei (Charlestown SI. G. <f. 34,) u now almost completed, by which that dis- 
tance will be vet more diminished 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 327 

the width of the street has been greatly improved. But the 
the prospect of gain from exertions in other parts of the town 
has hitherto been so much brighter, that very Httie improve- 
ment has yet been made north of the creek. Here and there 
an individual has erected a substantial house, and not a few 
have done their part towards rendering the general appear- 
ance of buildings in that quarter more agreeable, so far as 
that could be effected by a coat of paint. 

' Sundry persons, proprietors of the ship yard, and of certain 
wharves and flats, lying on the harbour of Boston, between 
Battery March street and State st. associated for the purpose 
of improving said land and laying out a spacious street near 
the harbour through their estates,' and were incorporated for 
that purpose, Feb. 1 1, 1805, by the name of the Broad Street 
Association. While the plans of this Association were pro- 
gressing, another company was carrying forward India 
Wharf, which was finished before Broad Street was complet- 
ed. India Street extending from India Wharf to the head of 
Long W^harf was the next improvement, and the stores and 
houses on them all were ready to be occupied in the course 
of 1307, '08, and '09. The range of four-story brick stores 
and dwelling-houses, in Broad-street, measures on the west 
side, from State-street to Purchase-street, 1373 feet, in aline 
somewhat circular. Broad-street is 70 ft. in width. Custom- 
House street, in which the Custom-House stands, measures 
194 ft. from Broad to India street, and this last measures 
989 feet from Long-wharf to India-whf. These admeasure- 
ments give an idea of the extent of space rescued from the 
water, and converted into commodious stores and dwellings. 

To these great improvements we must add, in the same 
quarter, that of Central-wharf, which was completed in the 
year 1816. It extends into the harbour, from India -street 
about midway between Long and India wharves, and is 1240 
feet in length, and 150 in width. There are 54 stores on 
this wharf, four stories high. There is a spacious hall in the 
centre, over which is erected an elegant observatory. The 
stores are fifty feet in width, and stand in the middle of the 
wharf, so that there is, on either side, the best of accommoda- 
tion for the landing and delivery of merchandize. It has 
been remarked, that for extent, convenience, and elegance 
combined. Central-wharf is not exceeded by any in the com- 
mercial world. 

While these undertakings were going forward, the same 
great projector of the whole, Mr. Cotting, had his mind em- 
ployed on another. Between the foot of Cornhill and the 
northerly end of Tremont-street, in a straight course, there 
was considerable vacant land and many old buildings of lit- 
tle value. Possession was obtained of these estates by pur- 



328 HiSTonY OF hdston. 

chase, and a street 48 ft. in width was laid out, in as direct a 
cotrse as the nnevenncss of the ground would permit. In 
1817, a block of stores was erected on each side, which, be- 
tween Cornhill and Court st. measure 432 ft. in length on the 
north side, and 436 on the south. They are all four stories high 
and have uniform fronts. The stores on the north side are 
marked with the odd numbers (1 to 91) and those on the 
south with the even numbers, (2 to 7G) the chambers in each 
building bearing one number, and the store, below, the odd or 
even number next in order. It was at first proposed to call 
this avenue New Cornhill, from the circumstance of its being 
devoted to the same kinds of business for which Cornhill had 
so long been celebrated : to what fancy the present name is 
to be attributed we know not.* 

Immediately on the completion of Market-street, part of 
the building at the east end of Scollay's buildings, (long 
famous as Master Carter's school, but which became private 
property, March 4, 1793) was taken down, to make the pas- 
sage free from Tremont street into Market-street. In the 
next j'ear, Brattle street leading E. from Court st. to Dock 
square by the rear of the stores on IMarket st. was opened, and 
an elegant block of 14 houses built on the north side, present- 
ing a front of hammered stone, 312 ft. in extent and four sto- 
ries high. This was the first stone block erected in the town. 

\\ hile these changes were making mostly for commercial 
purposes, extensive improvements were going forward in oth- 
er parts of the town, to accommodate a population increasing 
in wealth and numbers, with dwelling houses suited to their 
fancies and wants. Fort hill was put into repair and the lots 
adjacent sold by the town to individuals, t who erected the 
brick block called \Vashington place, around the mall, or cir- 
cular green which is a walk about 200 ft. in diametcr.lincd with 
\iouble rows of poplars. North-Kussell,Vine,and Poplar streets, 
and the neighbourhood of the Massachusetts Hospital to the 
Alms-house in Lcverett st. which had recent!}' been marsh and 
pasture ground, or improved only for Kopewalks, were con- 
verted into building lots and covered with fashionable and 
substantial houses. Beacon street on the west side of the 



* The stores ill Market Street were the first erected on praiiitc pillars, a ■tiling' now so 
comuiun. Mr. Tuckerman's store at the corner of Dock sij. and Murkrl Kow, was about 
Ihe first in which the impiovement was attempted (1320) of suhstiluting; those pillars for the 
•rig^inal brick walls. Extreme caution was deemed necessary, and the work occupied «lmo*l 
a whole summer. Market Row, which is n continuation of similar buildings from Market 
Mreet to Do^k sq. measures 118 feet, makinj,' the wliole block on the nortliside oM feet. 

I The towu empowered Ihe Seltjctmin to di post of the Koit liill lot«, May 23, 1805, and 
Mies were matte lo Messrs. Wells, Unidbury, Tuck, Howlund and others, in the inontli of 
June, lUOi<. 



HISTORY OF BJSTO.V. 329 

Common, and Colonnade row on ihe east, (mostly built in 
181 1,) presented, the one an elegant nnitortn range of 24 brick 
dwellings four stories high, and the other an irregular series 
of single buildings finished in a varied style, according to the 
taste of the individual owners. Besides these there were nu- 
merous other courts, rows, squares, and places, comprising 
from six to twelve or more modern brick houses, erected prior 
to the year 1822, which is the period within which we contine 
our observations in this chapter. 

There were also erected prior to this period several edifices 
devoted to publick purposes, which are worthy to be noted 
in this connection. 

The Custom-House stands on the north side of Custom- 
house street, near the head of Central wharf. ' It is 60 feet 
square and two stories in height exclusive of the basement, 
wjiich is divided by brick walls and brick arches supporting 
the different passages above. The lower part of the front is 
built of stone and the upper part of brick, with a colonnade 
60 feet long and 10 ft. wide, sup[)orted by 10 stone columns 
of the Doric order, 14 feet in length. The floor is paved 
with stone, and a broad flight of stone steps with iron railings 
leads to the several offices. It is finished with a stone frieze 
and cornice, and the windows ornamented with marble dres- 
sings. The front is crowned by a pediment, on the top of 
which is a spread eagle. The basement and first story is cal- 
culated for the storing of goods, and contains a nun)ber of com- 
partments occupied by the house-keeper, and some of the 
under officers. The upper story contains 6 rooms 20 feet 
high, in which the business of the office is transacted. The 
building is remarkably well contrived for the convenience of 
business, and exhibits a chaste and elegant specimen of archi- 
tecture. It cost about thirty thousand dollars.' 

The Boston Exchange Coffee-House, whose name desig- 
nates the purfioses to which it was appropriated, was the most 
capacious building and most extensive establishment of its 
kind in the U. S. The early history of this structure is that 
of an unsuccessful speculation, which involved individuals in 
ruin, and seriously injured a large portion of the community. 
It cost the projector, and through him the publick, upwards 
of ^,500,000, and was unfinished when he failed. In other 
hands it was completed so far as to be tenantable, and went 
into operation in 1808, two years and a half from the time it 
was commenced.* 



> ' This grand edifice was destroyed by fire, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1818. It was first discov- 
ered near the southwest corner of the atlick story, about seven in the evening, and before 
ten o'clock the whole building was n ducetl (o a melnnoholy heap of ruin^;. The aio^t spir- 

42 



330 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

' The E. C. H. was an immense pile of building, 7 stories 
in height, with a cellar under the whole, and covering 12,753 
square feet of ground. Its shape was an irregular square, or 
that of an irregular triangle cut off at the acute angle, meas- 
uring 132 feet in its broadest front, and only 94 feet on its 
narrowest, from which the line of the sides diverged nearly 
equally. 'J'he base of the building was of hammered granite 
and the basen)cnt of white marble. 

' The front inCongress-sireet was highly ornamented. Six 
marble pilasters, of the Ionic order, upon a rustic basement 
supported an architrave and cornice of the same ; and the 
whole front, which had an arched door way, was crowned 
with a Corinthian pediment.' On this side there were 48 
superb Venetian windows There was another entrance to- 
wards State-street, through an lonick porch or vestibule, and 
this front was ornamented with ten lonick pilasters, and light- 
ed by 58 windows. There was also an entrance, for the 
lodgers in the hotel, on Salter's court, having a passage for 
the ingress and egress of carriages. From this door thu-e 
was a circular stair-case, elegantly decorated, which led 
without interruption to the attick story. There was also a 
communication from Devonshire-street, through an adjoining 
house. 

' Upon entering the house, you stood on an interior area 70 
feet in length and 40 ft. wide, in the form of a parallelogram, 
which was lighKd Irom the top by means of a magnificent 
dome, 100 ft. 10 inches in diameter. Around this area was 
extended a portico, or rather several porticos, each consisting 
of 20 columns, which reached from the ground floor to the 
roof, and supported five galleries leading to the diff( rent apart- 
ments. The height of the top of the dome from the floor was 
83 feet. Here was an assemblage of the dilferent orders of 
architecture, from the ornamental Doric to the Corinthian, 
which produced a very agreeable impression upon the eyes 
of the spectator, as he passed from the dome which surmount- 



ilcd and judicious efiorts could only pivc a temporary check to the flames!, which were has- 
tily working lljeir way beliind the partition walls and round the cornices, in places beyond 
reach. In a very short time, the greater part of the 210 halls, rooms, chambers, ic. exhib- 
ited a mass of intense fire seldom witnessed. About 9 o'clock the noble dome came down 
with a frightful crash, and, soon after, nearly all the north and part of the south walls, each 
morethan BOfeet in height, fell, and damaged many of the neighbouring buildings. Several 
houses were much damaged, but none wholly burnt out, except the one on Devonshire-slr»"et, ad- 
joining the Exchange. On Wednesday morning, the whole isolated front wall of the ruin. PO 
feet high by 80 ft. wide, with its marble columns and chimnies, appeared to stand lotteiing 
over the people's heads, and threatened in its fall to overwhi Im the buildings ojipositr, which 
stood al the distance of 28 feet only from the wall. Dut in the course of that and llie >uc- 
cc^ing day they were levelled, without the U'ast damage to the neighbourhood or to th» 
thousands of spectatOM>,>vho were wititessvsto this sublime w ruck ul mutter' 



HlSTORl OF BOSTON. 331 

ed the whole, to the floor upon which he stood. The interior 
space was as nearly as possible equi-distatit from the sides of 
the structure ; and the apartments, which surrounded it upon 
the various stories, amounted to about 210. 

' The house was divided into two species of rooms ; those 
which belonged to the hotel, and those which were rented for 
offices and shops to individuals. The basement story con- 
sisted chiefly of an extensive kitchen, private lodging rooms, 
larder, and the cellars, with some offices that were entei'ed 
from the street. The principal floor was originally intended 
for a public Exchange, which design never was executed, as 
the merchants from long habit, prefer to stand in the street, 
even during the inclement winter months. A publick read- 
ing room, with a very large list of subscribers, was also upon 
this floor, where the lodgers in the hotel had the privilege oi 
resorting, and in which was regularly kept a journal of the 
most interesting occurrences of the times, whether of a politi- 
cal or commercial nature. A convenient Coffee room, a Bar 
and withdrawing-room for boarders, were also on this floor; 
besides various apartments occupied by publick incorporations 
and private individuals. On the second floor chiefly devoted 
to the hotel, upon the southern side, there was a dining room 
sufficiently spacious to admit tables for three hundred per- 
sons ; about fourteen other apartments comprised the whole 
of the second story. 

' The third and fourth floors belonged to the tavern. An 
arched ball-room, finished with great taste in the Corinthian 
order of architecture, extended through both stories, and was 
placed immediately over the laige dining hall. The other 
apartments on these floors were either connected with the ball 
room, or were lodging chambers. 

' Upon the northern side of the fifth and sixth floors, a 
large Masonick Hall was formed from a large number of lodg- 
ing rooms, which were included in the apartments which 
we. have just enumerated. The other rooms were appropri- 
ated for lodging chambers, with the exception of an obser- 
vatory on the sixth floor, connected with the news room be- 
low.* 

The Stone Court-House in Court-square, to which for 
distinction's sake we have given the name of Johnson Hall 
on our plate, (with reference to the memory of Isaac Johnson 
esq. whom we have mentioned as a chief patron of the first 
settlers of Boston, see p. 37,) was built in 1810. It is de- 
scribed as consisting of an octagon centre, 55 ft. wide, with 
two wings, 26 by 40 feet, connected by the entrance and pas- 
sages to the centre. The length of the whole building is 140 

• For a more pariiciilar account of the E.C.U. !ef Omnium Galherum, Nov. 1809. 



332 HISTORY 01- BOSTON. 

ft. The lower story of the centre is improved by the Regis- 
ter of Deeds, and Clerk of the C. C. P.— the second story by 
the County Courts, and the upper by the Common Council of 
the city. The AJayor and Aldermen's room is in the upper 
story of the western wing ; under that are the offices of the 
Auditor and City Marshal, and on the lower floor the Probate 
Office. In the eastern wing are the offices of the Clerk of the 
S. J. Court, rooms for the judges and for the juries, and one 
occupied by the Law Library. 

BovLSTON Hall, situated at the corner of Washington and 
BoyUton St. was so named in honour of AVard Nicholas 
Boylston esq. It was opened in 1810. It is in length 120 ft. 
and in width 50 feet, of three stories, w ith a deep cellar. On 
the first floor are twelve stalls for the sale of provisions. Tlie 
second is separated by an avenue running lengthwise, on the 
sides of which are four spacious rooms. The iliird stoi'y con- 
sists of a hnll 100 feet in length with the entire width of the 
building. The ccr.tral height of the ceiling is 24 feet. It 
contains an orchestra, and two convenient withdrawing-roonis 
adjoining.* 

Parkman's IVIarket, so called, is a large brick building at 
the corner of Grove and Cambridge-streets, distinguished bj' 
a cupola. It was erected by the late Samuel Parkman, esq. 
for the purpose of a market to accommodate the population in 
that neighbourhood. It was built in the fall of IBIO. 

The City I\Iarket, so calleiJ, at the end of Brattle-street 
next to Dock-square, is also an extensive brick building, three 
stories high. The lower story and cellars were appropriated 
to the sale of provisions. The Gallery of P'ine Arts was kept in 
the rooms above. This building was erected by private cit- 
izens in the year 1819: the town had opposed their wish to 
be incorporated and their applicaiion to the General Court 
was in consequence unsuccessful. The city has since refused 
to accept the building as a donation, and a furniture ware- 
house is now kept in the part formerly occupied as a market. 

We have thus endeavoured to give a general view of the 
principal local changes, which took place u/ider the town gov- 
ernment. It will be our aim to render that view more definite, 
as we proceed to the edifices which have been devoted to fash- 
ionable amusements, or to the more sober purposes of relig- 
ious worship, education, and charity. 



• ' Tlie proprietors wore incorporated Feb. 27, 180a, and the rotindatlan of iho building- 
•was coiiminired in the April folloniii^. The land belonging to the corporation was for- 
nerly owned by Bam'l Welles esq. of whose^leirs it was purchased by Mr. Jos. C. Dyer, 
and by liim conveyed to tJ)e |)resent projirietors for $20,560. The cost of the building was 
about lU'.t.OOO, beside the cu|K)la, which was built by iubscriplion. The rlooJt \v«« n dona 
ijoii of Mr. Doyhton 



HISTOUY OF BOSTON. 333 



CHAPTER LVIT. 

This is the place as well as I may guess 
Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth 
Was rife, and perfect in ray listening ear : 

a thousand fantasies 
Begin to throng' into my memory, 
Of calling shapes and beckoning shadows dire. 

Comus, A Masle. 

The puritan spirit of our ancestors was transfused into the 
first and second generations which succeeded them : nothing 
like the fashionable amusements of our day found any coun- 
tenance with them. A third and fourth generation became 
bj degrees a little more lax in manners and sentiments, and the 
fifth had so far thrown off restraint as to look upon balls and 
assemblies without mucii alihorrence. I'robablj, the inter- 
course, which under the royal government was constantly ta- 
king place between our people and officers of the army and 
navy from England, may have tended to introduce this 
change. ' in the year 1756, Concert Hall, a handsome build- 
ing at the head of Hanover-street, was erected by Mr. Ste- 
phen Deblois. a musicinn, for the purposes of concerts, danc- 
ing, and other entertainments. A few years ago the build- 
ing was enlarged, and im|)rovcd at a great expense. The 
front hall is about 60 feet by 30, in the second story, and is 
justly admired for its correct proportions and the richness oi 
its architecture. It is highly finished in the Corinthian style. 
with an orchestra, and the walls are ornamented with superb 
mirrors. In the rear is another hall on the same storj-, finish- 
ed in a plainer style, and well calculated for publick enter- 
tainments, and large parties.' 

Federal-Street Theatre was erected about the same time 
with theTontine buildings. Strenuousoppositionhad been made 
to the introduction of theatrical exhibitions into Boston. The 
first attempt of the kind, in 1750 (see Minot, Hist, of Mass. i. 
142) was followed by a law of the Province prohibiting them 
under penalties. During the siege the British officers enter- 
tained themselves with amusements of a theatrical e^ort. From 
that time we discover no traces of a theatre in Boston till 
1789, when the newspapers contain intimations of a design to 
establish one. While the prohibitory laws remained in force, 
it was unsafe to proceed openly : an effort was made to repeal 
them in the winter session of 1792, which failed, and the ex- 
pedient of cxhibiling plays under the title of Moral Lcclnres^ 



334 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

was therefore adopted in the fall of that year. The place of 
performance was 'the New Exhibition Room in Board-alley,' 
(now Hawjey-street.) A majority of the town had favoured 
the petition for a repeal of the prohibitory laws, ' as unconsti- 
tutional, inexpedient, and absurd,' and the patronage of the 
Exhibition Room was so liberal, that the plan of erecting a 
commodious brick building, purposely for a theatre, was easi- 
ly carried into execution. A lofty and spacious edifice was 
built on PVderal and Frank'.iti streets, 140 feel long, Gl wide, 
and 40 feet in height.* It was opened on the 3d of February, 
1794, with the tragedy of Gustavus Vasa Erickson, the deliv- 
erer of Sweden. Mr. Charles Stuart Powell was manager. 
* In consequence of a misunderstanding between Mr. P. and 



* This summer (1825) an addition has been made to the west end of the building, of about 
12 feet, and corresponding improvements in the interior. 

The following memoranda may he gratifying' to the lovers of the Drama. 

1797. — Mr. Williamson having failed as Manager of the Federal street Theatre, it waS 
taken by Messrs. Barrett and Harper. During the season this Theatre was destroyed by fire, 
on the afternoon of Feb. 2, 1798. Messrs B. and II. applied for the use of the Ilaymarket 
Theatre and were refused. 

Oct. 29th, 1798. — The Theatre, liaving been rebuilt, was opened under the management 
of Mr. Ilodgkinson. The pieces performed were a Prelude, called ' The First Night's 
Apology, or All in a Bustle,' ' Wives as they Were,' and the ' Purse.' 

April 29tb, 1799. — Mr. Hodgkinson, having failed in the Federal street concern, removed 
the Company to the HaymarUet Theatre, which he openeil with the 'Stranger,' and 'Ply- 
mouth Rock.' This w.is the last season Mr. Hodgkinson performed in Boston. 

Oct. 1799. — Theatre opened under the management of Mr. G. L. Barrett, with the Comedy 
of ' Laugh when you Can.' Mr. B. failed before the season expired. 

Oct. 27ih, 1800 — Theatre opened under the management of Mr. Whitlock, who, after ex- 
periencing a loss of about $4000, relinquished the concern. This season introduced to a 
Boston audience the celebrated Mrs. Jones. 

Nov. 30th, 1801 — The Theatre was opened under the joint management of Messrs. Powell 
and Harper. 'The School for Scandal,' and 'Poor Soldier,' were the entertainments. 

Oct. 27th, 1802. — The Theatre opened under the manugement of Mr. Snelling Powell, with 
the ' Poor fientleman,' and ' Purse.' 

The Theatre continued under the sole management of Mr. Snelling Powell, until Oct. 1806, 
when it wa.s opened under the joint management of Messr.s.Powcll, Bernard, and Dickson, 
who continued it till 1 81 1, when Mr.Bernard relinquished his part, and Mcssrs.Powell and Dick- 
son retained the management of it for 11 years. In 181G-17, Mr. D. retired from the stage, 
and has performed only twice since ; in April, 1819, he appeared in the character of Hardy, 
in the ' Belle's Stratagem,' and Oglow, in ' Tiniour the Tartar,' for Mrs. P<iw ell's benefit; 
and in May, 1821, he performed Sir Robert Bramble, in the ' Poor Gentleman,' Will Steady, 
in the ' Purse,' and Tag, in the ' Sj)oil'd Child :' this was likewise for the benefit of Mrs. 
Powell, who was prevented from appearing before her friends on that occasion, in conse- 
quence of the decease of Mr. Powell, v hich occurred the previous month. 

Mr. Dickson, although he retired from the stage, continued in the management. The sea- 
son of 1817 commenced under the joint direction of Messrs. Powell, Dickt-on.and DuflT: this 
connexion continued fur three years, when Mr. DufT relinquished his share in the concern. 

After the lamented decease of Mr. Powell, (April B, 1821,) the miin»g<Dient de- 
volved uj'on Mr. D. O'or Mrs. Powell, who was principally interested, ajid himself,) aided by 



El 



1^ 




HISTORY OF BOSTON. 335 

the proprietors, Col. J. S. Tyler was appointed to the manage- 
ment, but not succeeding, he relinquished and was succeeded 
by John Brown Williamson. 

In the mean time, the friends of Mr. Powell raised by sub- 
scription a sum sufficient to build of wood \.\\e Haymarkct The- 
atre^ which was one of the most spacious and convenient ever 
erected in America.' It was located near the foot of the 
Mall, on the spot now occupied by the three-story buildings, 
next south of Colonnade-row. The house was opened, Dec. 
26, 1796, with an Occasional Address, written and delivered 
by Mr. C. S. Powell, which was followed by the Comedy of 
the Belle's Stratagem, in which Mr. Dickinson, (since J. A. 
Dickson, the late Manager,) appeared upon the stage for the 
first time. The afterpiece was a grand pantomime called 
Mirza and Lindor, performed by a French Corps du Ballet. 
It was at this time that Mrs. Darley made her debut as Nar- 
cissa in ' Inkle and Yarico.' 

Haymarket Theatre was discontinued in the course of a 
iew years, and no other was established until the year 1819, 
when the entertainments at Washington Gardens were com- 
menced. At first the managers of the Federal-street house 
were interested in the performances at the. Amphitheatre, but 
in a short time the control over it passed into the hands of 
of several amateurs, and the two institutions became in some 
sort rivals to each other. The Amphitheatre was so con- 
structed as to answer the purposes of a Circus,! and was on 
that account better adapted to the performance of such plays 
as required the introduction of troops and caravans, a happy 
invention for su[)plying the defects to which the best select- 
ed companies may sometimes Ite liable, not unknown in Ad- 
dison's day, but not demanded till recently to please a Boston 
audience. 

The Museum was commenced in Boston hy the exhibition 
of a few specimens of wax-work, at the American Coffee-house, 
opposite the Bunch-of-Grapes in State-street. The proprie- 



Mr. Kilner, as Acting Manager ; this continued until the expiration of ttieir lease from the 
proprietors, in May, 1 824. 

The next season, in Sept. 1824, Messrs. Kilner and Finn undertook the management, for 
themselves and Mrs. Powell, on a lease of lUree years. 

It is a fact, worthy of record, and highly creditable to the Managers, that, from the time 
of Mr. Powell's undertaking the management, until the jjresent date, there never has been au 
instance known of a performer's salary, a tradesman's bill, or any iither demand against 
the Theatre being refused payment. This punctuality has given a respectability and credit 
to the establishment, that is not surpassed by any other in this country or in England. 

t Messrs. Pepin and Breschard had established a regular Circus in Charlestown in 1809 : 
and the Circus at the Washington Gardens has been occasionally used for that specifick ob- 
ject. There was also a Circus by Lailson in 1796, and ten years before that, the Selectmen 
had granted a licence for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship. 



336 HISiOUY OF liKSTo.V. 

tor was Mr. Daniel Bovvcn, whose collection rectivtd very 
handsome notice in the papers of June, 1791. It was soon 
lemovetl to ' the hall over the New Scliool-house near the 
Rev. Mr. West's meeiitig :' additions of natural and artificial 
curiosities, paintings, &c. were constantly made to the collec- 
lion till 1795, when it assumed the name of Columbian jMuseum, 
and was established ' at the head of the Mall [on the corner 
of Bromfield's lane], in the longest and perhaps the most ele- 
gant hall in the United States.' This establishment rose in 
value and in publick estimation, and became a fashionable re- 
sort, till Jan. 15,1803, when it was dcslroyed by hre. 

The liberality of the publick and the aid of private friends 
enabled Mr. Bowen to commence another museum, at the 
corner of Milk and Oliver streets, in the succeeding May. In 
1306, Mr. B. in connexion with Mr. AVm. M. S. Doyle erect- 
ed a costly brick edifice, tive stories high, on the lot north of 
the Chapel burial ground, and removed the collection, which 
had now become s})lcndid, to that place, which was opened 
for company, on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 27th. Here 
they were doomed again to sutTer disappointment. On the 
morning of Jan. 16, 1807, a fire was discovered in the hall 
over the Museum, and in a very short lime all its valuable 
contents were consumed.* The proprietors, however, were 
not wholly disheartened. With some encouragement from 
the publick they rebuilt the house to the height of two stories, 
and opened it on the 2d of June, 1807. Mr. 0. some time af- 
ter removed from Boston, and Mr. Doyle continued the sole 
manager, until the collection was sold to the propi'ietors of 
the New England Museum, (Jan. 1, 1825.) 

The Boston Museum vas advertised as ' just opened,' by 
Fh. Woods, at the large five-story building over No. C, north 
side of the market. Feb. 2C, 1804. A considerable number 
of interesting curiosities were collected in this Museum, but it 
never became so fashionable a place of resort as the Colum- 
bian. It was removed for a short time to a building on the 
west side of Dock-stjuare, but was returned to its original 
stand, where it was sold at auction in the summer of 1822. 
Chief of the articles were transferred to the New England 
Museum. 

A collection called the AVashington Museum was fur a 
short time exhibited here in 1804. 

I'he New York Museum, was opened in Boylston Hall, in 
1812. This latter was thccommenrcment of the New England, 
which is now the only establishment of the kind in Boston. 



• This buililing^ was lOi! Ifot lonj?, and H ft. m iilf . I'hc li^ight WM 82 krt from ih'- 
Wtiinicni floor lo the loj) ul" tlit- obscivaiury, wUich wafc surniuiiuicd l>y « figiire orUiniTv \. 



HISl'ORY OF BOSTON, 337 

It is situated on Court street, occupying the chambers over 
several stores, extending from Market to Brattle street. The 
collection is the most extensive ever brought together here, 
both in point of excellence and variety. Mr. E. A. Greenwood 
has had the superintendance of it, since it assumed its present 
appellation, under which it was opened, July 4, 1818. Mr. 
Mix's New Haven Museum was added to it, in 1821. 

It is not foreign from our purpose to state, that this museum 
contains, besides its curiosities of a general character, a plan 
of Boston, engraved by Price in 1743; likenesses of the 
following persons, whose names occur in this book : viz. Gov. 
Winthrop, Endicot, Leverett, Bradstreet (from the paintings 
in the State-house). Hancock, S. Adams, Bowdoin, Gen. War- 
ren, Franklin, Gen. Ward, R. T. Paine, John Adams, J. Q. 
Adams, — and of the following distinguished citizens ; Rev.Drs, 
Cooper, Stillman, Lathrop. Baldwin, HoUey, and Griffin, — 
Messrs. Ballou, Buckminstcr, Huntington, Frothingham, VVin- 
cheli, and Dean ; Dr. Jeffries, Benjamin Austin, Isaiah Thom- 
as ; William Coo])er, Mr. John Tilcston, Miss Hannah Adams. 
together with prints of many other eminent persons. 



CHAPTER LVIIl. 

How all religrions should enjoy their liberty, justice its due regularity, civil cohabitation 
moral honesty, in one and the same jurisdiction, is beyond the artique of my comprehen- 
sion. — Simph Cobkr, A. D. 1647. 

The churches of Boston had been thrown into great confu- 
sion by the events of the war. Five of their houses of wor- 
ship had been transformed into barracks or hospitals, or in 
some way* appropriated to the use of the British troops. All 
their pastors who were friendly to the American cause (except 
Dr. Samuel Mather and Dr. Andrew Eliot) had deemed it 
prudent to leave the town during the siege. The clergymen 
of the three Episcopal churches fled with Gen. Howe on the 
memoral)le 17th of March, 1776, and Dr- Byles of Hollis- 
street was dismissed, in 1777, by his people, on account of his 
supposed predilection for the royal cause. Mr. Moorhead's 
church was vacant, and Mr. Croswell's meeting-house was 



* The desecration of the Old South excited universal indig-nation. To fit it for the pur- 
poses of a circus for the dragoons, 'every moveable part within the walls (except the souDd- 
ing board over the pulpit, and the east gallery, which was left to accommodate spectators) 
was taken down, pillars, pews, galleries, and pulpit. About 1 and a half or 2 feet of eartU 
was spread upon the floor, for the horses to exercise upon.' 

43 



338 



HISTORY OF BOSTON'. 



untenantable during the winter season. The Old North, we 
know, had been entirely destroyed, and Dr. Ebenezer Pem- 
berton, the pastor of the New Brick, had deceased, Sept. 15, 
1777. 

The first change consequent on this slate of things was the 
union of tlie Old North and New Brick churches under the 
name of (he Second Church. '^I'his event took phue .Tune 27, 
1779 ; Rev. John Lathrop then became pastor of both socie- 
ties. 

The Old South church were accommodated in King's chapel, 
until they were ready to remove to their own house.* At lengili 
the remaining proprietors of the Chapel determined to re- 
store their former mode of worship, and invited Rev. Jan es 
Freeman to perform divine services in their desk. Mr. F. 
accepted their invitation, and commenced Reader, Oct. 20, 
1782. The society adopted the Unitarian liturgy, altered 
from the comn)on prayer book of the Church of England, 
after the plan of Dr. Samuel Clarke. On Lord's-day, Nov. 
18, 1707. after evening service, ftlr. Freeman was ordained 
as Rector, Priest, tc. by the wardens, vestry, proprietors, 
and congregation of the Chapel. ' by virtue of the third arti- 
cle in the declaration of rights,' which provides that religious 
societies shall at all times have the exclusive right of electing 
their publick teachers. A minority protested against this meas- 
ure, because the new proprietors had 'introduced a liturgy dif- 
ferent from any now used in the Episcopal churches in the Uni- 
ted States, and articles of faith which,' say they, ' in our opin- 
ion, are unscriptural and heretical ' Another ' protest or ex- 
communication' was also issued on the same subject, by the 
rectors of Episcopal churches in Boston, Salem, Marblehead, 
Newburyport, and Portsmouth, who pronounced the mode of 
ordination ' diametrically opposite to every principle adopted 
in any Episcopal church.'t The society, however, has pur- 
sued the course of its own choosing, and th ugh discounte- 
nanced by the Episcopal churches, iis rectors hold ministerial 
intercourse with the memliers of the Boston Association. 

The origin of the denomination of Universa lists in America 
was in the year 1770. Mr. John Murray commenced preach- 
igg near New York ; visited Philadelphia, and several parts 
of New Jersey ; came in 1773 to Newport and thence to Bos- 
ton, where he arrived on (he 26th of October. He delivered 
his first discourse on the 30th, in the hall over the Factory, in 
September 1 774, Mr. Murray n)ade another visit, and preached 
sometimes at a private house, sometimes in Faneuil-hall, at the 



* From Nov. 9, 1777, to Ffb. 23, 1783. 

t See Centluel, Nov. 24, 1787, and Jan. A (788. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 339 

Factory, or at Masons'-hall, and at length was admitted into 
Mr. Croswell's pulpit, not, however, without strenuous oppo- 
sition from Mr. C. A society was gradually gathered under 
the preaching of Mr. Murray and Mr. Ad. mi Strceter, ' and 
other preachers of the universal gospel of salvation to all 
mankind;' and on the 29th of Dec. 1785, Messrs. Shippie 
Townsend, James Prentiss, Jona. Stoddard, John Page, and 
Josiah Snelling, (' being a committee appointed by a Chris- 
tian congregation commonly called Universalists, now meeting 
in the said house') purchased the meeting-house then recently 
vacated by the death of Dr. Sam'l Mather. Mr. Murray was 
installed over this society, Oct. 24. 1793. The solemnities 
of the occasion were introduced by Dea. Oliver W.Lane, who 
addressed the brethren of the church and congregation. Mr. 
M. pra^'ed. Then Dea. L. asked of each party a publick 
recognition of their acceptance of each other as pastor and 
people, which being signified, the deacon proceeded thus : ' I 
therefore, in the name and behalf of this church and congre- 
gation, supported by the constitution of this commonwealth, 
declare you, Jolin Murray, to be the pastor and teacher of 
this first Universal church in Boston.' Dea. L. then present- 
ed a bible to Mr. M. with the pledge that, so long as he con- 
tinued to preach the gospel as therein delineated, he should 
be considered their pastor and teacher, and no longer ; 
and concluded with the charge of Paul to Timothy, usually 
introduced on such occasions. Mr. M. made an affectionate 
reply ; then followed singing accompanied by the organ. Mr. 
Murray gave a sermon from 1 Cor. ix. 16, Woe is unto me 
if I preach not the gospel, and the services were concluded with 
an anthem. 

The society, known as the Presbyterian church, which had 
been under the pastoral care of Rev. Robert Annan, from 
1783 to 1786, embraced the Congregational order, and thus 
became the Twelfth Congregational church. We have dis- 
covered no record of this fact, but it probably was made 
known in a formal manner on the day of the installation of 
their first pastor, Rev. Jeremy Belknap, April, 4, 1787, con- 
cerning which we find the following account. ' After a large 
and respectable council of churches, assembled on the occa- 
sion, had taken the steps usually previous to such solemnity, 
they proceeded to the meeting house. An anthem excellent- 
ly performed, began the service. Rev. Mr. Eckley then made 
the first prayer : Rev. Mr. McClintock of Greenland, (N. H.) 
delivered a sermon well adapted to the occasion : Rev. Dr. 
Lathrop made the installation prayer: Rev. Mr. Jackson oi 
Brookline gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Eliot prayed after it, 
and Rev. Mr. Thacher gave the right hand of fellowship, and 
another anthem concluded the service.' 



340 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The first Roman Catholick congregation was assembled in 
Boston, in the year 1784, from the few French and Irish then 
resident here, by the Abbe La Poitrie, a chaplain in the French 
navy. In the year 1788 they obtained possession of the old 
French church in School street, which had become vacant 
on ihe death of Mr. Croswell : mass was first performed in it 
Nov. 2, 1788. M. La Poitrie was succeeded by M. Louis de 
Rousselet, and Mr. John Thayer, a native of Boston, who had 
renounced the Protestant faith and taken orders under the 
Romish see, as Catholick Missionary of Boston. Mr. T. be- 
gan his mission here. June 10th, 1790. and exhibited great 
zeal in the cause he had espoused.* The Rt. Rev. Bp. Car- 
roll (late of Baltimore) visited Boston, in May, 1791, and ad- 
ministered confirmation to a number who had received bap- 
tism here. In 1792, the Rev. Dr. Francis A. Matignon arri- 
ved in Boston, and by his prudence, judgment, and concilia- 
ting (hsposilion, considerably softened and removed the preju- 
dices which had impeded the advancement and progress of 
the Roman Catholick religion. Dr. Matignon wasjoined by 
the Rev. John Cheverus, (afterwards R.C. Bishop of this city 
and at present Bishop of Montauban,) in the year 1796. 
These two gentlemen made apjilications to the Protestants, 
who generously contributed ; a lot was purchased in Frank- 
lin Place, and the Roman Catholick church, a neat and well 
proportioned edifice, was dedicated to the worship of God, 
under the name of "The Church of the Holy Cross," by the 
late Bishop Carroll, on the 29th day of September, ISOS.t — 
Under Dr. Matignon and Bp. Cheverus the congregation 
increased in numbers and respectabilit}', by accessions not 
only from the foreign population of the town, but from native 
citizens. Dr. Matignon was removed by death, and the bish- 
op has been called to his native country to the enjoyment of 
higher honours in the church. The departure of both was 
deeply lamented, not only by catholicks, but by all who knew 
them either personally or by character. 

The origin of the Methodist Society in Boston was attended 
with some circumstances of discouragement. Rev. VVm. Black, 
from Halifax, was the first minister of that denomination who 
preached here. He arrived in October, 17iM, and was al- 
lowed to appear in the pulpit of the Second Baptist church. 
He was here but a short time, yet many persons became con- 



* Mass. His. Col. 1. iii. 2t>A. Col. Centinel, Nov. 24, 17;iO— Jan. 2(i, June 24, July 30. 1791. 

t The Rev. Mr. Thayer, J>y « disposition in his will, bequeallieii money for (b* erection of 
an Ursuliiie fonvi nt, which has been since erected contiguous to the Churdi, and in which 
the female children of the R. Catholick coromunioii ore educated. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. S41 

verted under his preachiag : most of them joined the Baptist 
churches. In 1790, Rev. Jesse Lee visited Boston and the 
vicinity : he preached, as Whitfield had done before him, on 
the Common. A considerahle number adopted his senti- 
ments, and met together for worship at the house of Samuel 
Burrill, in Sheafe-street, till June 1792,* when they obtained 
the use of the North School house. At that time, Mr. Jere- 
miah Cosden was their preacher. In August, 1792, twelve 
persons ' were joined into a society, under the denomination 
of the Methodist Episcopal church ' After the old school-house 
was pulled down, this society met once at the Green Dragon : 
thence they removed to Mr. Conner's in Ship-street, and 
thence to, Mr. John Ruddock's house, opposite Clark's (since 
Ballard & Hartt's) ship-yard, in the same street ; a room in 
this last house was formally dedicated Aug. 17, 1793. Find- 
ing themselves very unpleasantly situated for the want of a 
commodious place for their meetings, the society made an ef- 
fort to obtain subscriptions towards a proper house of worship. 
On the 5th of Sept. 1795, Messrs. Sam. Burrill, Elijah Lewis, 
Uriah Tufts, Joseph Snelling, Sam'l Mills, and Abraham In- 
gersoll, as a committee of the society, purchased a lot of land 
in Methodist alley (now so called), and a house was built 
thereon, measuring 46 feet by 36, and 22 ft. post. It was 
first occupied and dedicated May 15, 1796 ; Rev. Geo. Pick- 
ering being the otficialing clergyman. The church at that 
time consisted of 50 members. 

In the year 1 803, a religious society was commenced, of the 
denomination of Freewill Baptists. It was at first composed 
of persons who seceded from the other Baptist churches in 
town, and adhered to the doctrines at lliat time promulgated 
by Messrs. Thomas Jones and Elias Smith. They have since 
been known under the distinctive appellation of CnmsTians. 
Their first meetings were held in a large wooden building in 
Friond-street, then adjoining the Mill-pond. They have since 
occupied the hall in Bedford-street, and now (Oct. 1825) have 
a brick meeting-house erecting at the corner of Summer and 
Sea streets. They have had a number of preachers, who 
have continued with them a short time. " When they have 
no Elders to preach, they often exhort each other, both male 
and female. The same privilege is granted to all pious peo- 
ple, when assembled with them, of whatever denomination 
they may be. They hold to the six principles of the doctrine 



* Rtcords of the Society. — In Selectmen's minutes, Sept. 16, 1785, permission is granted to 
the hearers of Mr. William Black to occupy the North Grammar jcchool until further order 
The new School-house was finished, Oct. 179^2. 



342 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

of Christ, viz. ' Repentance from dead works, faith towards 
God, of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the 
dead, and of eternal judgment : urging frequently upon their 
hearers the necessity of the two lirst principles above in order 
for sinners to become ' born again,' or become ' new creatures,' 
or have the ' divine nature,' or ' holiness,' without which no 
man shall see the Lord. The safety of those who ' endure to 
the end,' is firmly believed by them, and that none but such 
shall have eternal life." 

In the year 1805, a church was gathered from among the 
coloured people of this town, which when formed was denom- 
inated the African Baptist church. Their number at first was 
twenty, most of whom were fruits of the ministry of Rev. 
Thomas Paul, an ordained clergyman of their own colour, 
who commenced preaching in FVanklin Hall, an apartment in 
the school-house in Nassau street. The j'car after this church 
was formed, they began to make exertions towards building 
them a place of worship. They chose a committee to make 
collections, among whom was Cato Gardiner, a nativeof Africa, 
who had long been one of Dr. Stillman's respectable members. 
At his importunity Dr. Stillman drew a subscription paper, 
which Cato circulated in different places, and obtained about 
1500 dollars. Others of the church made collections to a con- 
siderable amount, and having received encouragement to go 
forward in their design, they chose a committee of white men 
to superintend the building, which was finished and dedicated, 
Dec. 4, 1806. Mr. Paul was installed at the same time. Rev. 
Drs. Stillman and Baldwin, Mr. Grafton [of Newton,] Mr. 
Briggs [of Randolph,] Mr. Stone [of New Boston, N. H.] all 
of the Baptist denomination, officiated on the occasion. This 
house is l)uilt of brick foity feet by forty-eight, three stories 
high. The lower story is fitted up for a school-room for 
coloured children, and has been occupied for that pui-pose 
from the lime it was finished. The two upper stories are well 
finished with pews, pulpit, galleries, &c. The lot is small, 
and with the house cost 8,000 dollars. 

In the year 1806, the Methodist society, on the 3d of 
March, ' resolved that it was expedient to build another chap- 
el for the worship of Almighty God.' On the 15th of April, 
the corner stone of the house in Bromfield's lane was laid b}"^ 
Rev. Peter Jayne. and it was completed and dedicated on the 
lOtli of November following. Rev. Samuel Mei-win preach- 
ed on the occasion. 'J'his chapel is built of brick, its dimen- 
sions are 84 by 54 ft. Near the N. E. corner, in the middle 
course of hammered stone, in the foundation, is a lilock taken 
fiom the celebrated rock on which oiu' forefathers landed at 
I'lymouth. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 343 

Proposals for building another Baptist meeting-house were 
issued in August. 1806. A lot ul' land had been previously 
procured on Charles-street, part of which was given by the 
Mount Vernon Company, and the greater part purchased by 
the subscribers to the undertaking. P^ive members from the 
First, and nineteen from the Second Baptist church, united 
on the 5th of Aug. 1807, and were regularly constituted ' as a 
separate church of Christ, by the name of the Third Baptist 
church in Boston.' On the same day the house was dedica- 
ted. Rev. Dr. Baldwin preached on the occasion. On the 
5th of October, Rev. Caleb Blood accepted the office of pas- 
tor. The sentiments of this church are expressed in the 
subjoined ' declaration of their views of divine truth.'* 

The formation of Park-Street Church was first proposed in 
the latter part of the year 1 808, when a subscription was 
opened for the erection of a place of publick worship. On 
the 6th of Feb. 1809, ten of the subscribers had a meeting, 
and it was resolved to proceed in the important undertaking. 
Articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted, and a 
council called to assist in forming the church. The number 
of persons who first associated (Feb. 27) was twenty-six, of 

* Third Baptist church Articles of faith. 

We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of 
faith and practice ; and that, among others, it teaches the following all important truths : 
I. The existence of one only living' and true God, infinite in every natural and moral perfec- 
tion. II. That he has made himself known to his people under the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfec- 
tion. HI. That man was created holy; but by wilfully violating the law of his Maker, be 
fell from that state, and from all communion with God ; and as, by divine apjiointment, 
Adam was the representative of all his posterity, we in him became wholly defiled, and 
dead in trespasses and sins : So that by nature we are indisposed to all good, and inclined 
to all e>il, and are children of wrath, and subjects of death, and of all other miseries, tem- 
poral, spiritual and eternal. IV. That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt 
and condemnation is through the righteousness and atonement of Jesus Christ, who, as the 
Good Shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep ; and that those only, who receive the gift 
of repentance, and faith in him, will be finally saved by his atonement. V. That all who 
ever have been, or will be, brought to repentance, and faith in the gospel, were chosen in 
Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that in consequence of the eter- 
nal love of God to them, through the atonement, the Holy Ghost is sent to effect the work 
of regeneration in their hearts, without which regenerating influence, none would ever re- 
pent or believe. VI. That nothing can separate true believers from the love of God, but 
they will be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. VII. That the only proper 
subjects of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are professed believers ; and 
that baptism is properly adminstered only by immersion, and is, by scriptural example, a 
pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's table. VIII. That there will be a resurrection, 
both of the just and unjust ; and that Christ will come a second time to judge both the 
quick and the dead ; when those who die impenitent, and unreconciled to God, will be 
sentenced to endless misery, as the just desert of their sins ; and those who have been re- 
newed by grace, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, will be completely deliv,- 
ered from the dominion of sin, and admitted into the holy and heavenly Jerusaku), with 
*ongs and everlasting joy. So shall they be ever with the Lord- 



344 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

whom 21 were dismissed from other churches, and 5 received 
by the council on profession of fiiith. The corner-stone of 
their meeting-house v\as laid on the first of May. A plale, 
bearing the following inscription, was deposited in the south- 
east corner : sc. " Jtsus Christ the dii if corner stone, in whom 
all the building, fitly framed together., groweth unto an holy 
temple in the Lord. This church formed February '2.1th, and 
this foundation laid May \st, 1809/' The house was dedica- 
ted to the service of God, Jan. 10, 1810. Rev. Edward Dorr 
Griffin, D. D. (then Bartlett Professor of Pulpit Eloquence at 
Andover) preached on the occasion. 

There had been hopes with the founders of this church 
that they should be able to obtain the services of Dr. Hei.ry 
Kollock of Savannah, but they were disappointed. 'J he 
church continued without a settled pastor until July 31, 1811, 
when Dr. Griffin, (who had constantly supplied their pulpit.) 
was installed o\cr them. 

This church professes a ' decided attachment to that sys- 
tem of the Christian religion wl-.ic h is distinguishingl}- denom- 
inated Evangelical, more particularly to those doctrines 
which in a proper sense are sty •eel the doctiines of 
grace,' and adopts the Congregational lorm of government, as 
contained in the Cambridge Platform framed by the synod of 
sixteen hundred and forty-ei^ht. 

The erection of a meetiiig-house for the Second Society of 
Uniiersulists was proposed 'nt a meeting of a number of mem- 
bers of the F^irst Universal bocidy,' holden on 1 iiui sdaj'', 
November 14, 1816. Preparatory irieasures were adopted, 
and they were incorporated Dec. 13, 1816, ' by the name of 
the Second Society of Universalists in the town of Boston.'* 
On Monday morning, May 19, 1817, the corner-stone of the 



■■ A church was formed in ihis society, Dec. 3, 1817. Their t/'nifiiig- Compact is as follows: 

Uniting Compact of the Sccottd Universalist church in Boston. 

1st. Being persuaded of the truth of the g^ospel of the grace of Goti, and feeling truly 
fateful for such a revelation of divine favour, we, whose names are undersigned, with a 
view to promote the cause of the Uedeemer, to edify anj comfort eacli other, and in obedi- 
ence to the command of Christ, who directs us to ' let our light shine before men,' do hereby 
unite in the solemn and important relation of a Christian church. 2d. We mutu.-Uly agree 
lo celebrate the unspeakably glorious event of the death .-ind resurrection of Jesus, in tlir 
sacrament of the Lord's supper, as often as a majority of the chh. may think proper. 3d. 
Claiming no right to fix a creed, which might in any way impede our progress in the grace 
and knowledge of our L.J. 0. or operate as a mean to prevent any sincere lover of truth 
from uniting with us in the Christian communion and fellowship, we accept no other rule 
of faith, practice, ur discipline than the 8. Scriptures. -Ith. Disclaiming any right to exam- 
ine or judge another's faith, and adliiring lo the Apostle's directions lo ' let a man ex- 
amine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup,' we consider the tabU 
of the Lord free for the communion of all, whose moral conduct would not bring a reproach. 
6th. We furthermore mutually affree to pay all expenses which may be deemed necessary 
According to any di^tribution which a majority may see fit to nipke. 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 345 

new meeting-house, in School-street, was laid and a silver 
plate deposited, being the gift of Dr. David Towns- 
end, bearing the following inscription : " The Second Uni- 
versal church, devoted to the zcorship of the True God, 
Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone. May \9th, 1817." 
This house is a plain building of brick, without a steeple, 75 
ft. long and -'7 broad. The dedication look place on Thurs- 
day, Oct. 16th : Rev. Thoinas Jones, of Gloucester, preach- 
ed on the occasion. October 21st, Rev. Hosca Ballou was 
unanimously invited to the ministry over this society, and his 
installation took place on Christmas-day, Dec. 25th 1817. 
Rev. Paul Dean preached from John xx. 24, and gave the 
fellowship of the churches ; Rev. Edw. Turner, of Charles- 
town, made the installation prayer and gave the charge ; and 
Rev. Mr. Flagg, of Salem, made the concluding prayer. 

The services of the Protestant Episcopal church were cel- 
ebrated, for the first titne, in that part of the town called South 
Boston, on Sunday, March 31,1816. For more than two 
years the congregation met in a school-house, and services 
were conducted by dilierent clergymen and lay-readers. <S^ 
M'llthew^s church was consecrated on the 24th of June, 1318, 
by the Right Rev. Dr. Griswold, Bishop of the Eastern dio- 
cese. It is situated on Broad-way, and is a neat and commo- 
dious brick building. The expences of its erection were 
chiefly defrayed by benevolent members of Trinity and Christ 
churches, with a view to the future wants of that section of 
the city. A service of plate for the use of the altar was pre- 
sented by the ladies of Christ church, and the pulpit, desk, 
and chancel were furnished with appropriate dressings by the 
ladies of Trinity church. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin 
Winthi-op was a most liberal benefactor. Religious services 
were maintained in this church, by occasional supplies, but it 
was not till June, 1824, that the parish enjoyed the stated la- 
bours of a minister in full orders, when the Rev. John L. 
Blake became Rector. The wardens are Messrs. Abraham 
Gould and Robert P. Williams. 

In August, 1818, there was a church formed that adopts the 
sentiments of Baron Emanuel Swedenborg. They first as- 
sociated on Saturday, the 15th of August, and on the next day 
held a publick meeting at Boylston Hall. The number of 
their first associates was eleven, six of whom were gentlemen, 
and five ladies. Their first preacher was Mr. Samuel Worces- 
ter : he is not ordained, but administers the sacrament of 
baptism. The society was incorporated, Feb. 11, 1823, by 
the name of ' the Boston Society of the JVezo Jerusalem.^ They 
have held meetings at difi^erent periods at Boylston Hall, 
Bedford st. hall, and the Pantheon. Their present, place of 
worship is in Pantheon JTall. ^ 
44 



346 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Essex-Street Church was orffanized on the 27lh of Janu- 
aiy, 1819. Jl was gatherrd under the preacliihfi ot the Rev. 
James Sabine, who came to Boston in July, 1818, from St. 
John's, Newfoundland, where he had been seiiUd about two 
years over a so( iety, which beciime reduced in numfiers, and 
in the means of giving him support, after the desolating fires 
that occurred at that place in November. 1817. Upon 
his ari-ival in Boston, J\Jr. Sabine commenced preaching in 
Boyl^ton hall, and when the church was oi'ganized, he was 
publickly recognized as its pastor. Seventeen members, of 
whom 10 were brethren, constituted the cliurch. The con- 
gregation increasing, arrangements were made for building a 
meeting-house in Essex st. The corner-stone was laid, June 
26, 1819, and the new house was dedicated, on the 15th of 
December.* 

The members of the Romish communion at South Boston 
are accommodated in a neat Gothick church, which bears the 
name of St. jiug'nsrmc''s Chapel. A tablet wrought into the 
front of the building bears the following inscrijition : " Erect- 
ed by the Catholic Congregation of Boston, mith the approbation 
and assistance of Right Reverend Bishop Cheverus, A.D. 1819." 

St. Paul's Church was proposed to be erected by a 
subscription which was commenced in March, 1819. 'I'he 
corner-stone was laid, Sept. 4th, with appropriate solemnities. 
The church was consecrated, June 30, 1820, by the Rt. Rev. 
Bp. Alex. Viets Griswold, bishop of the Eastern diocese, as- 
sisted by the Rt. Rev. Bp. Thos. C. Browiiell, of Connecti- 
cut, with many of the clergy. Dr. Samuel Farmar Jarvis 
was instituted rector, Friday, July 7, 1820. 

This edifice is situated on Common st. between Winter 
and West streets, and fronts towards the Common. It is 
built of fine gray granite, and is an imitation, so far as res- 
pects the architecture, ol a (irecian n odel of the lonick order. 
The body of the church is about 112 ft. long by 72 ft. wide, 
and 40 ft. high from the platfoim to the top of the cornice. 
The portico projects about 14 feet, and has six lonick col- 
umns, 3 ft. 5 in. diameter, and 32 ft. high, of Potomac sand- 
stone, laid in courses. The base of the building rises four 



* In the course of two years, some difliculties arose, wliicli resulted in a vote, March G, 
1822, ' that thisrhh. think it necessary to withdraw from tlie house of worshij) in Essex si. 
and that after this date they do meet for worship and communion in Hoylston liall.' Accord- 
ingly on the followine sabbath they assembled there. 

This body retained the name of Essex st. church, until Nov. 26, 1S23, when tliey were 
acknowledged and received by the Londonderry Presbytery, aud organized into their body. 
Thus (hey became the second I'resbytcria'n church ii Uoston, (Mr. Moot bead's having been the 
first,) but they are ' known by the najiie of the Firit Prcfii/tcrian chunh in the C'iti) tf 
Bolton.' 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 347 

feet, and there is a flight of steps to the portico, extending the 
whole width of the front. The interior is lighted by ten 
long windows, and has a chancel and organ gallery. The 
ceiling i:5 a cylindrical vault, with pannels which span the 
whole width of the church. Beneath the principal floor, 
there are commodious and well constructed tombs, secured in 
a manner to obviate any objection which fear, or experience, 
or observation may have suggested.* 

Under the patronage and influence of benevolent individu- 
al^ associated as a society for the moral and religious instruc- 
tion of the poor, a Meeting for seamen was opened at the 
h^ll on Central wharf, on Lord's day, Aug. 9,1818: and 
through the exertions of the same body, another meeting was 
estaliiished at Parkman's market, Jan. 31, 1819. At these 
places, publick worship was regularly maintained, half a day 
at each ; and besides the particular classes, for which the 
meetings were instituted, it was found that a considerable 
number of persons assembled, whose circumstances rendered 
their attendance at the more frequented houses of worship 
inconvenient. Further exertions were therefore made for 
their accommodation, and a house has been erected on the 
west side of Butolph-street, known by the name of the Mis- 
sion House. It was dedicated, July 5, 1821, and a church, 
consisting of 17 members, was constituted, Dec. 30, 1823. 
The Rev. Dr. William Jenks ofliciates as their minister. 

This was the forty-ninth house, built for the worship of God 
in Boston. Since the organization of the city government, 
several other religious societies have been formed, of which 
we shall speak in a subsequent chapter. 



* The interior of St. PauVs is remarkable for its simplicity and beauty, and tlie materials 
of which the building has been constructed give it an intrinsicli value and an effect, which 
have not been produced by any intitations of the classick models, that have been attempted of 
bricks and plaster in other cities. The erection of this church may be considered the com- 
mencement of an era in the art, in Boston ; and although from its situation it is somewhat 
obscured, the beauties it displays have already had a sensible influence on taste in archi- 
tecture : and those who are aware of the importance of this art, in giving form to our city, 
will consider themselves under the highest obligations to the disinterested and high-minded 
Individuals of the committee, by whom this church has been designed and erected, and will 
not withhold the meed of praise from the architect and artists, who suprientended the 
construction of it. 



348 HISTOUY 01- BOSTOK. 



CHAPTER LIX. 

" Wbate'er tbe humanizing Muses teach ; 
The godlike wisdom of the tcmper'd breast •, 
Progressive truth ; the patient force of thought ; 
Investigation calm, whose silent powers 
Command the world ; — these all are theirs." 

The earliest trace of our system of free schools is to be 
found on the Boston records, under date of April 13, 1635, 
where it is stated to have been ' agreed upon that our brother 
Philemon Ptirmont shall be intreated to become schoolmaster, 
for the teaching and nurturing of children with us.' Whether 
Mr. P. consented to serve the town, does not appear :* but 
another person, Mr. Daniel Maude, was ' also chosen' to the 
office of* free-school master' in August, 1636. 

The first provision for the support of schools seems to have 
"been made by voluntary contribution. There is a subscrip- 
tion recorded, on the last leaf of the oldest volume of town 
records, which, though the first line is illegible, is plainly dis- 
cerned to be ' towards the maintenance of — free ScJioolmasierJ' 
It is headed by ' the Gov. Mr. Henry Vane. Esq.' who puts 
down £10, as do also the Dep. Gov. l\lr. John VVinthrop, and 
Mr. Richard Bellingham. Forty-two other persons subscribe 
according to their abilitj', some 305. and some as low as 4s. 
making in all about the sum of forty pounds. In 1641. the 
income from Deer Island was appropriated for the school's 
use ; and in other years the rents of that and other islands 
were devoted to the same purpose. Under date of 1 645. Gov. 
Winthrop notes in his Journal, that ' divers free schools were 
erected,' and observes that, at Boston, they made an order to 
allow forever £50 per ann. for the master, and a house, — 
and £30 to an usher, who should also teach to read, write, 
and cipher — and the charge was to be defrayed ' by yearly 
contribution, either by voluntary allowance or by rate of such 
as refused.' 

Mr. IMaude was a minister, and soon removed to Dover, N. 
H. His successors in the school were probnbl}- a Mr.Wood- 
bridge (mentioned Dec. 2, 1644 ) and I\lr. Robert VVoodman- 
sey, whose name appears on the records, April 1 1, U 50. On 
the r^lh of March, 1666, Mr. Daniel Henchman was employ- 



* Firit Ckurrh rcc. Jan. 6, IC39, Philemon Purmont was dismissed to join Mr. Wheel- 
wright and others ut I'iscalaqua. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 349 

ed ' to assist Mr. Woodmansey in the grammar school and 
teach children to write.' Mr. Woodmansey was succeeded 
by Mr. Benjamin Thomson. ' a man of great learning and wit, 
well acquainted with the Roman and Greek writers, and a 
good poet.' He was chosen Aug. 26, 1667. to officiate for 
one year, and appears to have continued in the service of the 
town, together with Mr. Henchman, until Jan. 3, 1671, when 
he resigned, and Mr. Ezekiel Cheever took the principal 
charge of the school. Mr. C. had been a distinguished in- 
structer, in various parts of New England, and his reputation 
was not diminished by his career in this place : under him 
the Grammar-school of Boston attained the rank of ' the prin- 
cipal school of the British colonies, if not in all America.' 

Several persons had been licensed to keep private schools 
' to teach children to write and keep accourits ;' but there is 
no reason to suppose that there had been more than one pub- 
lic k school, prior to 1684. In April, 1683, the town voted to 
provide two schools, and to allow £25 per ann. for the sup- 
port of ench. with the understanding ' that such persons as 
send their children to the school, that are able, should pay 
something to the master for his better encouragement.' And, 
Nov. 22, 1684, ' Dea. Henry Allen and Capt. Frarye made 
a return, that, ' according to a former order they had agreed 
with John Cole to keep a free school, to teach the children of 
the town to read and write, for one year from the first of this 
instant November, for which the town is to pay him £\0 in 
money, and £20 in country pay as mone^^, or at money 
price.' This was the fii'st of the free writing schools, and Mr. 
Cole seems to have been as much respected and beloved in 
his department, as Mr= Cheever was in his. 

The original Latin school-house was located on the North 
side of School-street, at the south-east corner of the Chapel 
burying-ground, nearly opposite to the present school-house. 
One of the writing schools was kept in Court-street, and the 
other, we suppose, at the north part of the town.* 

A Grammar school was opened at the North end, in 1713, 
agreeably to a vote of March 1 1, 1712. It was located on 
Bennet-street, on the lot now occupied by the Eliot school, 



* In the Hutchinson MSS. we find the following order of Gov. Andros, dated Boston, 
the 24th of May, 1687. " By his Ex.'s command. Upon the petition oj" Joshua Natstock, and 
recommendation of many of the inh. of the N. part of the town ofB. I do hereby appoint the 
said Joshua to be master of the publick school there, and to have and enjoy such profits and 
benefits and advantages as have been heretofore paid and allowed to his predecessors^ It was 
a favourite object with Randolph to have all the schools supplied with masters of the per- 
suasion of the Church of England. When Andros's power ceased, the town lost no time in 
voting, (Records, June 24, 1689.) that the custom and practice_of managing free schools be 
restored and continued. 



350 HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 

which the town purchased of Mrs. Susanna Love. The house 
was built by Capt. Thos. Hutchinson (fnthcr ol Gov. Hutch- 
inson.) at his own charge. Recompense Wadsworth was the 
first master. 

A free writin2;-school was buih, in 1718, on the same lot. on 
Love-lane, by Thos. and Edw. Hutchinson, as executors of the 
will of Foster Hutchinson, and went into operation the next 
year. .Mr. Jeremiah Condy was appointed master. 

In 1717, a south writing-school was esiablishrd, and loca- 
ted ' on the Common over ajfiiinst Mr. VVainwrighi's," thai is, 
near the corner of West and Common streets. The first mas- 
ter's name appears to have been Amos Angier. 

These two Grammar and three Writing Schools were the 
only publick schools in Boston, before tlie Revolution. They 
were under the , inspection of the selectmen and ' a certain 
number of gentlemen of liberal education, together with some 
of the reverend ministers,' whose custom it was to make an 
annual report to the town of th(> si;ite of the schools. In 742, 
when the population of the town was 16,382, there were re- 
ported (as present June 23, 1741,) 

At the South W^riting-school .... 73 At the South Latin-school 94 

Queen-st 73 North 65 

Noith 230 Total 535 

At the visitation, July 1, 1772, there were present 823 
scholars. During the siege, the (own schools were suspend- 
ed : a few children attended the instructions of Mr. Elias 
Dupee, who remained in Boston, and gratuitously devoted 
himself to his employment of a teacher, in which he took pe- 
culiar delight. November 8, 1776, there was a vote of the 
town, that the schools should be opened under the direction 
of the selectmen ; and we soon find them all in successful op- 
eration. In March, 1735, a writing school, to be located far- 
ther south than that in the Common, was established, and Mr. 
Samuel Cheney was formally inducted into the otiice of mas- 
ter, on the 26th of April following. He was charged to hear 
the children read the scriptures occasionally, and teach them 
the catechism once a week, besides instructing them in wri- 
ting and arithmetick. The number of children reported pre- 
sent, May 23, 1785, was only 564 : both the Latin schools 
having together but 64 pupils ; Queen st. and the North W. 
each, 150 ; Common, 119 ; Cheney's, 81. At this time the 
rule was adopted, that no children be admitted to the writing 
schools, under seven years of age. 

The concerns of the schools were conducted in the usual 
train until the year 1789. On the 23d of Sept. that year, a 
committee was appointed, of one from each ward, to draft a 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 331 

new system of education. Their report, which wns made and 
accepted, Oct. 16th, recommended the phui, which h;is since 
been pursued and improved. They proposed to cominue but 
one (the south) Luin Grammar school, and to esiabhsh three 
reading schools, in apartments separate from the three wriiing 
schools. Candidates for admission uere required to be 7 
years of age, ' having previously received the instruction 
usual at woiuen's schools.' Chihiren of both sexes were to 
be admitted, boy^ for the year round, and airls fi"om April to 
October, ' to be triughi to spell, accent, and read prose and 
verse, and also to be instructed in English gramuiar and com- 
position.' A CO nmittee of twelve, was proposed to be chosen 
annually ; who, in conjunction with the selectmen, should 
exercise all the powers which the laws of the slate or votes 
of the town had dfleiiated to selectmen or school commit- 
tees. The execution of the sj^stem was immediately com- 
menced, by the appointment of the First School Committee. 
Oct. 20, 1789. 

The elements of geography and astronomy were soon add- 
ed to the studies of the English grammar schools ; and the in- 
crease of po})ulation and the rising reputation of these semi- 
naries in a little time demanded more ample accommodations 
for the numerous pupils who resorted to them. In 1 790, a 
wooden building of two stories was erected on the north side 
of School street (now Court scjuare) calculated for the accom- 
modation of 20) scholars in each story. In 1792, the old 
school houses at the North were taken down and a two 
story brick building erected on the same spot. These two 
buildings were occupied by the Centre and North reading 
and writing schools. The South reading school was accom- 
modated in Nassau (now Con)mon) street, and the South writ- 
ins: at the corner of West and Common streets. 

In 1800, there were seven })ublick schools in operation, in 
which seven masters were employed on salaries of ^666 66 cts. 
and an allowance of|,200, together with seven ushers at $333 
33 cts. with an allowance of $100. 1 he town tax in that year 
was $61489,25 and the charge for schools $11100,85. In 
the spring of 1804 another reading and writing school were 
opened in the new brick school house at the corner of Hawkins 
and Chardon street. In 1806, the number of scholars belong- 
ing to all the schools was 1760 : boys 1030, girls 730. 

In process of time it had been found that the rule requir- 
ing applicants for admission to be able " to j-ead the English 
language by spelling the same," had operated to the exclu- 
sion of a large class of children, whose parents were unable 
or unwilling either to instruct them, or to give them a private 
education. Sunday schools were revived in the town, in the 
year 1816, in which it was the object of the managers, besides 



3o2 HISTORY OF BOSTON, 

conveying religious instruction, to fit their chnrge for the 
English grammar schools: but the number, which necdetl to 
be thus fitted, proved to be so great, that many citizens be- 
came desirous tliat something should be done b}' the town to- 
wards the same object. A petition was presented, that fiee 
schools might be established for children between the age of 
four and seven years. A committee was appointed to ascer- 
tain the number of children, thronghoiit the town, who did 
not attend any school, and the number that attended jji-ivate 
schools, and this examination resulted in the esfablishment of 
the Board of Primary Schools, by a vote passed June, 11, 
1818. This board was at first composed of ihree gentlemen, 
from each ward, chosen by the school committee, with pow- 
ers to establish a suital)le number of schools, appoint teach- 
ers, and have the general supei'intendence : the increase 
of the schools has rendered it necessary to increase the num- 
ber of the committee, which now consists of one men)bcr for 
each school, together with a standing committee of seven and 
a treasurer. The board is subdivided into district commit- 
tees. It is the duty of each member fiequently to visit his 
particular school and to report its state to the district commit- 
tee, to which he is attached, and they report the st.ite of all 
the schools in their district to the standing comniiticp, whose 
duty it is to visit all the schools, semiamiually, and make a 
general re[)ort, which is sent, after its acceptance by the 
Primary Board, to the school committee. The efirct of this 
system, which has been executed with untiring assiduity and 
unvarying regularity, never perhaps excelled, has been to 
raise the tone of general instruction and moral improvement 
in the great mass of our })opulation. The children are here 
committed to the care of female instructers, who are selected 
from the worthiest in point of moral and literary qualifica- 
tions ; and the poorest receive the same attention as is be- 
stowed upon the more wealthy, of whom many are sent to the 
primary, in preference to the private schools : and the whole 
may be ' fairly said to be more carefully taught, and more 
effectually watched and guarded in their characters and con- 
duct, than the same number of children of the satae age ever 
were before.' 

The complete success, which immediately attended the in- 
stitution of primary schools, produced a very strong feeling in 
favour of publick education, and created a seasonable oppor- 
tunity for gratifying the wishes of those who had been long 
calling for a scliool, in which such as have not a desire, or 
lack the means to pursue a collegiate cducatiun, might i-eceive 
instruction in some branches of great practical importance, 
usually taught only at colleges. 'ihe plan for the establish- 
ment of the F.ngli.sh Classical school (now called the English 



HISTORY or Hi>sri)X, 353 

High school) was brought forwnrd in the School Committee, 
June 17, 1820; the town adopicd it in the course of that 
year, and the school went into opei- itii)n, in Ma}-, 1821. The 
principal instructor was Mr. Geo. B. Emerson. The higher 
branches of mathematicks,natural and moral philosophy, nat- 
ural and civil history, natural theology and evidences of 
christianit}^ composition, declamation, and instruction in the 
French language, constitute the course pursued at this school. 
No boy may be admitted under 12 years of age, and none 
remain more than three years. B}' the present regulations 
of the school committee, there is to be at least one instructer 
to every forty pupils.* 

In the autumn of 1821, the basement room in the Fort-hill 
school was fitted up for an experiment on the plan of mutual 
instrucllon, and about 150 children, (who with few exceptions 
were too old for the primary schools, and unciualified to enter 
the E. grammar schools) were admitted. Full liberty was al- 
lowed the instructer to adopt such parts of the system as were 
suitable to our state of society, and to make such improve- 
ments as circumstances might suggest. The number ot boys 
that attended was seldom less than 90, nor that of the girls 
fess than 70. 

This school was kept in operation about two years, and ful- 
ly justified ail reasonable expectation. One hundred and sixty 
children were taught the same branches by one master, as 
are taught in the grammar and writing schools by two. The 
inspection and direction of this school was at first confided to 
a sub-committee of the Primary Board, by whom the experi- 
ment was originally proposed. In 1823, it was assumed by 
the School Commiitee, in whose hands it died, on the resigna- 
tion of the enlightened gentleman, who consented to assist in 
organizing the school, and to take charge of it for the first 
year or two. 

The people of the north part of the town were disappointed 
that a school had not been built for their accommodation in 
1818 ; at the close of the year 1821, they renewed their pe- 
tition, and one of the last acts of the town of Boston, as such, 
was a provision for the erection of the English grammar and 
writing ,-chool. now called Hancock school, in Hanover-street, 
which went into operation, June, 182 3.1 



* Tlie Englisli Classical school was commenced in Derne-street school-house : in 1824 
it was removed to the new building at the corner of PincUney and Centre streets. 

t The Adams school was opened in 1317: Boylston school, April 20th, 1319: Bowdoin 
school, in 1821 : South Boston, in 1322. There had been a pulilick school at S. Boston some 
iinie previous. 

45 



354 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

Under the city charter the care and superintendence of the 
publick schools devolves on the School Committee, which 
body is composed of one member chosen in each ward, to- 
gether with the Mayor and Aldermen. A course of study for 
the various scliools is marked out, and rules established for 
the government of the scholars, and instructers,and committee. 
The system, if closely pursued, must insure a rigid attention 
to all the interests of the schools. In addition to regular vis- 
its to each school by the sub-committee who have it in charge, 
all the schools are visited semi-aimually by the general 
committee, accompanied by the authorities of the city, the 
parents and friends of the pupils, and oihcr persons interest- 
ed or invited. The summer visitation has been aptly called 
the City Commencement. The ambition of the children is 
excited to display their several acquirements to the best ad- 
vantage, and the exhibitions at the Latin and High schools 
may be truly said to fall little short of similar exercises at 
College. Three of the best boys in each of the schools an- 
nually receive, on these occasions, a silver medal, " the gift 
of Franklin," as " a reward of merit." The girls also receive 
rewards at the expense of the city. The emulation excited 
in the contest for these marks of distinction is confined to a 
laudable ambition, and, by its happy effects on the discipline 
of the schools and on the character of the scholars, evinces 
the wisdom of the great man, who bequeathed these memo- 
rials of his love to his native town.* 



* The amount of compensation to all the instructers, from June 1, 1824, to June 1, 1825, 
was 50,953 rfo/s. 35 rts. Other expenditures for schools 3,665 d. 47 r. Total amount 54,618 
doh. 82 c. The estimates for the same purposes and the erection of a new school-bouse, 
•or the current year, amount to 73,000 dollars. 

The number of pupils in all the schools iu Aug. 1823, was 5863. In this summer of 1825 
it has been ascertained to be 

In the Eng. Gram. Schools - - - - 1763 boys, 13B2 pirls. 

50 Primary „ . - - - 1361 „ 1300 „ 

3124 2682 

African -- ..... 63 „ .-..- 41 „» 

3177 2723 

J,atin - 175 „ 

E. High - - 145 „ 

Total 3497 boys. 2723 girls - f*.22« 



HISTORY or BOSTON. 355 



CHAPTER LX. 

" Only add 
Deeds to thy Knowledge answerable, add faith, 
Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, 
By name to come call'd Charity." 

The formation of a society in Boston for promoting useful 
knowledge had been in contemplation for many years, but 
the design was never vigorously pursued till the end of the 
year 1779, when many gentlemen in various parts of the com- 
monwealth determined to use their endeavours to have one 
formed upon a liberal and extensive plan, and at the same 
time to have it established upon a firm basis by the sanction 
of the legislature. And, to the honour of our political fathers 
be it spoken, although the country was engaged in a distress- 
ing war, they immediately adverted to the usefulness of the 
design, and incorporated the society by the name of The Amer- 
ican Academy of Arts and Sciences. The charter was granted 
May 4, 1780. The design of this institution was declared to 
be ' the promotion and encouragement of the knowledge of 
the antiquities of America, and of the natural history of the 
country, and to determine the uses to which the various pro- 
ductions of the country maj' be applied ; to promote and en- 
courage medical discoveries, mathematical disquisitions, philo- 
sophical inquiries and experiments ; astronomical, meteoro- 
logical, and geographical observations ; improvements in ag- 
riculture, arts, manufactures, and commerce ; and, in fine, to 
cultivate every art and science, which may tend to advance 
the interest, honour, dignity, and happiness of a free, indepen- 
dent, and virtuous people.' The Academy has published 
memoirs of its transactions, in four 4to volumes, of which the 
last appeared in 1821. Its sessions are held in Boston, and 
its valuable library is deposited in the Athenaeum. 

Since the institution of the American Academy, numerous 
societies have been formed, which have confined their atten- 
tion to some of the particular objects embraced in the Acad- 
emy's plan, such as, the American Antiquarian, the Massa- 
chusetts Medical, the Historical, and the Agricultural Societies. 

The Massachusetts Historical Society was incorporated, Feb. 
19,1794. The design of this institution is to collect, pre- 
serve, and communicate materials for a complete history of 
this country, and of all valuable efforts of the ingenuity and 
industry of its inhabitants. In pursuance of this design, they 
have already amassed a large collection of books, pamphlets, 



356 HISTOKY OF UOSTON. 

and manuscripts. The library and museum of the society 
are deposited in a spacious apai'lment over tlie arch in Frank- 
lin-sireet. They have pu'nlished their Collections in twenty- 
one 8vo. volumes, uiiich iiuhide Hubbard's History of New 
England, and Johnson's AVonilcr-Woi'king Providence. The 
foundation of this society was originally suggested hy the late 
Rev. Jeremy Belknap and IV] r. 'J'homas Wallcut : it was at 
first supported by the labours of a few, and not sufTicicntly 
favoured by the publick : it has since enrolled among its 
men)bers many of our first scholars, and now claims a very 
considerable reputation among the literary institutions of 
America. 

The Boston Librar}^ Society was incorporated, June 17, 
1794. The object of the associates was to make a collection 
of books in the sciences and general literature, for popular 
use ; more particularly of those works, which, from their cost- 
liness or peculiar value, are not generally found in private 
collections, and cannot conveniently be obtained by individu- 
als of moderate fortune. The plan has been diligently and 
successfully pursued, and with the aid of occasional dona- 
tions, the Library is now as complete in works of general util- 
ity, as any similar institution in this part of the country. The 
books amount to about 6500 volumes, and their number is 
continually increasmg. To gratify the increasing taste for 
foreign literature, a collection of the best French authors has 
been added : many recent and valuable English works have 
been imported the present season. For son)e years after the 
Library was founded, the shares were not transferal>lc, and 
subscribers had only the use of the library for their lives ; 
consecjuently, by the death of original proprietors, many 
shares have fallen into the common stock, which has given to 
the shares of present pi'oprietors a value far beyond their 
cost. It is computed, that a share at the present price gives 
a property in the common stock greatly exceeding the cost of 
a share, exclusive of the value of the Hall, which is the pi-op- 
erty of the corporation. The price of a share is ^^25, subject 
usually to an annual tax of $2. for the increase of the Librar}' 
and the charges of maintaining it. This assessment is tlcter- 
mined by the major vote of the prof)rictors. Shares are now 
transferable, and do not cease at the death of the propi'ieior. 
The Library is open at the Hall over the arch in Franklin- 
street, on the afternoon of Thursdays, and the forenoon and 
afternoon of Saturdays, for the delivery of books. 

The Columbian Library, kept in Hoylston-Hall, is estab- 
lished on piinciples somewhat similar, and contains 4600 
volumes.* 

• Tlieic arc al^o in Boston alioiit >ix Ciriiiluliv!; Libiarits, rontainiiif; exlcii'^ivr afiuii- 
meou of modern literature, oiirn to |>ublick ubc at vcr,v niotlerate cliargc". 



HISTORY OF BOSTON, 357 

The ATHENii:uM. For several years, individuals in this me- 
tropolis had expressed their wishes that there might be es- 
tablished here a puLilick reidinjj; room, to be kepi constantly 
open, and to contain all the valuable journals, foreign and 
domestick periodical publications, books of general reference, 
and other works adapted to such a place of resort. Jt was 
thought that an establishment of this kind would receive lib- 
eral support. Having these impres'^ior)s, a society of gentle- 
men, who conducted a literary publication, (the Monthly 
Antholog3',*) in the year 1806, issued proposals, in which 
they engaged to provide a room of the forementioned descrip- 
tion, open at ten dollars annually to each subscriber. The 
subscription list was soon filled with a large number of re- 
spectable names. In consequence of this success, it was de- 
termined to extend the plan by adding a library to the foun- 
dation. 

By the time the journals and periodical publications were 
received, more than a thousand volumes of valuable works, 
principally donations, were collected. At this stage of the 
undertaking, the gentlemen who had commenced and so far 
conducted it, in order more effectually to secure and diffuse 
the benefit of their past labour and expense, and realize their 
wishes of a respectable establishment, transferred their right 
and title in the Anthology Reading Room and Library to 
Trustees, with power to supply vacancies in their number, and 
to hold and manage said Reading Room and Library as a 
trust under their then present name. At the winter session 
of the Legislature in 1807, the proprietors were incorporated 
under the name of the Boston Athenaeum. 

The rooms of this institution were first opened in Congress 
street, from whence they removed to Scollay's build- 
ings, and, in 1810, to the building on Common street, north 
of the Chapel burial ground. Htve they remained until 
182"', when they removed to the spacious edifice in Pearl street. 
The better half of this elegant and commodious building was 
presented to the institution by the late James Perkins Esq : 
the other half they purchased at the price of $15,300. The 
requisite alterations have been made in its interior, and the 
rooms have been so disposed, and the library so arranged, as 
to furnish every desirable facility and accommodation to 
those who visit the establishment. 

On entering the Atlienaeum the visiter finds himself sur- 
rounded with the busts and statues of heroes and learned 
men of antiquity, who seem to bid him, in the salveto 
on the tablet before him, Welcome ! At his left, on the first 
floor, is the Reading room, in which are found the newspapers 



* Monthly Antholog-y, for May, 1 807. 



358 UISTORV OF BOSTON. 

and journals of the present day, with complete files of peri- 
odical publications for many years back. On the rif^ht is 
the Room of the American Academy, in which is deposited 
their library of 2000 volumes, principally works of scif^nce 
and philosophical transactions of foreign societies. The li- 
brarian's room and a conversation room, complete the apart- 
ments on the lower story. 

On the second floor are found in the 1st Room, Works 
relative to American History; in the 2d, Political and Mili- 
tary Works ; in the 3d, Metaphysicks and Theology, which 
includes' the Theological Library,' belonging to another asso- 
ciation and containijic^ 2000 volumes ; in the 4th, Bf lies Let- 
trcs, and Miscellaneous Works ; in the 5th, Encyclopaedias ; 
in the 6th, History, Geography, Travels, Biography. As- 
cending into the third story, we find in room No. 7 a collec- 
tion of tracts amounting to near 10,(iOO, collected principally 
by the indefatigable perseverance of Mr. Wm. S. Shaw. 
Room No. 8 contains the publications of Learned Societies ; 
No. 9, works on Agriculture, Natural History and Botany ; 
No. 10, Works in the Arts and Sciences, Architecture, Chem- 
istry ,&c. No. 11, the Greek and Roman Classics, and trans- 
lations. No. 12. Ene-ravings,,fcc. A\ hole No. of vols. 17,50". 

The price of a sh.ire in this institution is 5'»00, which enti- 
tles a proprietor to to three tickets of admission. A life sub- 
scriber pays ^100. Annual sul)scribers are admitted at G,]0 
per annum. A proprietor or life subscriber may introduce 
company to view the Athenffium. 

Omitting some minor literary associations, we proceed to no- 
tice a few of our charitable institutions. Besides the publick 
provision for the destitute of nil descriptions, which is so am- 
ple that no one need to suft'er any privation, who is able to 
make known his case (o an overseer of the poor, there are 
numerous societies established in Boston, whose object is the 
alleviation of human misery. 

The Massachusetts Humane Society was established by law 
Feb. 23, 1791. The design of their institution is ' the re- 
covery of persons who meet with such accidents as produce in 
them the appearance of death, and for promoting the cause of 
humaruty, by pursuing such means, from time to time, as shall 
have for their object the preservation of human life, and the 
alleviation of its miseries.' 

The Mass. Charitable Fire Society, incorporated, June 25, 
1794, was instituted to provide means to relieve such of the 
inhabitants of the common wealth as may unfortunately suHcr 
by fire, and to reward the industry ami ingenuity of those 
who may invent useful machines for extinguishing fires, or 
make extraordinary personal exertion in the lime of such ca- 
lamity, or make such discoveries for preventing its devastation 
ns shall be thought worthy of their patronage. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 359 

The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanick Association was in- 
stituted March 15, 1795, by a number of publick spirited in- 
dividuals, of the most industrious and respectable of the me- 
chanick interest ; of various occupations, residing in different 
parts of the town ; who styled themselves the ' Boston Asso- 
ciation of Mechanicks.' In a few months the society increas- 
ed much in numbers, resources, and usefulness. With the 
increase of its numbers, and means, its views became enlarg- 
ed, its utility more apparent, and a laudable emulation perva- 
ded a considerable part of the community to raise the me- 
chanick interest and character to its just grade in society. 
The associates, in order to extend the benefits of the institu- 
tion, altered the original appellation, and voted to assume the 
title of The Association of Mechanicks of the commonwealth 
of Massachusetts,' which gave opportunity for qualified citi- 
zens throughout the commonwealth to ofier themselves as 
candidates for membership ; and some few embraced this 
privilege and became members, besides those residing in Bos- 
ton. But the society laboured under many disadvantages 
previous to its incorporation, March 8, 1806, eleven years 
from its institution ; — when its fair claims became acknowl- 
edged, the characters and conduct of its founders, officers, 
and members, were deemed sufficient pledges of the purity 
of their intentions ; and one of its primary principles being 
ingrafted in its title, it was, by an act of the legislature, incor- 
porated by its present name.* 



* Among other objects of puhlick utility, coiinectetl with tiiis institution, are the Appren- 
tices' Library, and the encouragement of ingenuity and excellence of workmanship among 
the mechanicks and manufacturers of this commonwealth, by an annual exhibition of pre- 
mium articles ; for the best of which, suitable premiums are awarded, by judges selected 
for that purpose ; in awarding which, all other things being equal, preference is first given 
to an apprentice, then to a journeyman, before the master-workman. The first publick exhi- 
bition of premium articles was on .Tuly 4, 1818. 

The Apprentices^ Library, established in this city in 1S20, and which is under the super- 
vision of this Association, is an institution, which, if judiciously managed, is calculated to 
have a beneficial effect on the minds and morals of those who enjoy its privileges. As a 
proof of the high estimation in which Apprentices' Libraries are held, we have only to no- 
tice the increasing popularity of them throughout our country : and even England, in this 
instance, has not disdained to copy from her descendants. To Boston belongs the honour of 
having beeh the first to establish this valuable Institution. — WeUs,^ and C^ri/'s Addresses. 

In connection with this society we should also notice tht Donation of Frnnkliii, who by 
his last will bequeathed a thousand pounds sterling to the town of Boston, ' to be let out up- 
on interest at five per cent, per ann. to such young married artificers as have served an ap- 
prenticeship in said town, and faithfully fulfilled the duties required by their indentures, so 
as to obtain a good moral character from at least two respectable citizens, who are willing 
to become their sureties.' The amount of this fund, by the last annual report, was i4,45l 
dots. 83 cts. 



360 fiisioRY OK Boston. 

The Boston Dispensanj was instituted in 1795, and incorpo- 
rated, Feh. 26, 1801. At the expence of this institution the 
poor arc siipplit-d with medicines, and they are gratuitously 
attended by phy>icians appointed yearly bv the managers. A 
subscriber of live dollars is entitled to tickets for two patients, 
which number lie may keep constantly on the list of the Dis- 
pensary. 

The Boston Female Asylum was instituted Sept. 25, 1800, 
by a number of ladies, who associated for the charitable pur- 
pose of relieving, instructing, employing, and assisting female 
orphan children. They were incorporated Feb. 26, 1803. 
The success which has attended this institution has equalled 
the most benevolent expectations. The society' has rescued 
irom ruin and distress a great number of fatherless and moth- 
erless girls, who have, under its piotection, been nourished 
and brought up to habits of industry and piety. The asylum- 
house is situated in Essex st. corner of Lincoln st. 

The Ilonard Benevolent Society w^s organized, June 1.1812, 
and incorporated Feb. 16, 1818. Their object is to search 
out and administer to the wants of the sick and the infirm ; 
' more especially of that class of our fellow-citizens, who, not 
being connected with uny religious societ}', are in no way 
benefitted by the provisions made in most of them for the re- 
lief of their poor.' 

'J'he Boston Asylum for Indigent Boys was incorporated Feb. 
25, 1814. Jts object is to make similar provision for orphan 
boys, to that which has been so usefully made for girls by the 
Female Asylum. This institution occupies the larijc house on 
the corner of Salem and Charter streets, formerly the resi- 
dence of Sir William Phips. 

The Provident Institution for Savings w^as incorporated Dec. 
13, 1816. This society is intended to encourage industry 
and prudence in the poorer classes, and to induce them to 
save and lay by something of their earnings for a period of 
life when they w ill be less able to earn a support. Deposits 
are received as low as one dollar, and when any person's 
deposits amount to five dollars, it is put on interest. The de- 
posits may be withdrawn on stated days, if desired. The of- 
fice of this institution is open every AVcdnesday, in ScoUay's 
buildings. 

The Boston Society for the Religimis and Moral Instruction 
of the Poor was incorporated in iheyear 1820. Through th(^ 
exei-iions of tliis socieiy. schools for the |)Oor have been insii- 
tiilcd in various parts of ihe toun. the gospel has bcei> p»oach- 
to them, and pains have been taken to raise the standard of 
Mior'al cliaracicr amoiio- them. 



HISTOKY OF UOSTOjr. 361 

The Penitent Females' Refuge is an institution formed with 
the hope of reclaiming, from the patha of vice and ruin, a por- 
tion of those unhappy women, whose false steps have blasted 
their prospects of enjoying a reputable standif)g in life. 
A house of refuge is opened by this society, for such as are 
sincerely desirous of returning to the paths of virtue. This 
house, which is large and commodious, is under the care of a 
matron and assistants : a committee of ladies visit it every 
week, and the pecuniary concerns are under the management 
of a Board of Directors, chosen annually from the gentlemen 
who are subscribers to the funds of the institution — Constitu- 
tion adopted April 14, 1819 : incorporated Jan. 21, 1823. 

Some account of the jMassachusetts General Hospital will 
conclude our notices on this head. Towards the close of the 
last century a gentleman died in this town, leaving a bequest 
in his will of <^5000 towards the building of a hospital. This 
circumstance was attended with the beneficial efTect of awa- 
kening the attention of the publick to the subject. Nothing, 
however, was elTected before August, 1810, when two physi- 
cians living in this town addressed a circular, in which the 
advantages of a hospital were stated, to several gentlemen of 
Boston possessed of ample fortunes, and disposed to contribute 
to institutions in which the publick good was concerned. In 
the beginning of 1811 (Feb. 25) fifty-six gentlemen, living in 
different parts of the commonwealth, were incorporated by the 
name of the Mass. General Hospital. Their charter allowed 
the corporation to hold property to the amount of ^30,000 
3^carly income. It also granted to the Hospital a fee simple 
in the estate of the old Province House, on the condition that 
^100,000 should be raised by subscription within ten years. 
Little exertion was made before the autumn of 1816, when a 
subscription was commenced that was attended with uncom- 
mon success. In the towns of Boston, Salem, Plymouth, 
Charlestown, Hingham and Chelsea (including a few sub- 
scriptions in some other towns) 1047 individuals subscribed 
either to the Hospital or the Asylum for the insane. More 
than 200 of these contributed $100 or more, and several from 
1000 to 5000, and one $20,000. Donations of equal and 
larger amounts have since been made, which have increased 
the funds of this institution, for immediate use and permanent 
stock, to a greater sum than any other among us has realized, 
excepting the University at Cambridge. 

In 1816, the Trustees purchased the er3tate at Charlestown, 
belonging to the late Mr. Barrel!, commonly called Poplar 
Grove, and have there built two brick houses, besides the 
requisite out houses. In 1817, they purchased four acres in 
a field at the west e!id of Boston, called Prince's Pasture, and 
46 



362 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

on the 4th day of July, 1818, the corner stone of the present 
Hospital was there laid, in the presence of many persons of 
great dignity in publick life, and of a numerous asseniltlage 
of citizens. The civil, religious and m^sonick services were 
performed with such impressive pomp as rendered the whole 
scene truly solemn and interesting. This building was so far 
completed on the first of Sept. 1;j21, as to be in a tit condition 
to receive patients. The Asylum for the Insane had been 
opened for the reception of boarders, October 1, 1818.* 

Besides these institutions whose views extend to society at 
large, we ought to name many others, whose elTorts in the 
cause of benevolence are equally ardent, though the obj( els 
of their charity are more limited ; such as the Fen)ale Samar- 
itan and the Fragment Societies, (supported by ladies for the 
relief of necessitous women and children ; , the Fatherless and 
Widows' society; the Society for employment of the poor; So- 
ciety for the relief of the distressed ; the Episcopal chariiable 
society, the British chariiable, the Irish charitable, the Mass. 
charitable, and the Fuel Societies, Slc. These institutions 
embrace among their members almost every individual who 
maintains a respectable standing in the community. And if we 
add to these the numerous religious associations for missiona- 
ry and benevolent purposes, we may, without vanity, adopt 
concerning Boston the language of Increase Mather, when 
he said, that " for charity, he might indeed speak it without 
flattery, this town hath not many equals on the face of the 
earth." 



' * The Massacliusetts General Hospital has been pronounced the finest building in the 
State. It stands on a small eminence (H e) oi)ento the south, cast, and west. It is 168 ft. in 
length and 54 in its greatest breadth, having a portico of eight lonick columns in front. It is 
built of Chelmsford granite, the columns and their ca|)itals being of the same material. In 
the centre of the two principal stories are the rooms of the officers of the institution. Above 
these is the operating theatre which is lighted from the dome. The wings of the building 
are divided into wards and sick rooms- The stair cases and floorings of the entries are of 
stone. The whole house is supplied with heat by air-flues from furnaces, and with water bj 
pipes and a forcing pump. The beautiful hills which surround Boston are seen fi-om every 
part of the building, and the grounds on the south west are washed by ilic waters of the bay . 









1^ 



P=3 

1^ 




HISTORY OF BOSTON, 363 



CHAPTER LXI. 

0, sir, you are old ; 
Nature in you stands on the very verge 
Of lier confine; you should be rul'd and led 
By some discretion, tliat discerns your stale 
Better than you yourself. King Ltinr. 

We have already noticed three ineffectual attempts to ob- 
tain for the town of Boston the name and privileges of a city. 
That in 1651 {sec p. 137) was probably made in accordance 
with the wishes of a majority ; that in 1708, we have seen, 
was accounted as an experiment fraught with mischief; and in 
1762, the proposition was unanimously rejected. From that 
period we hear nothing more of the project until 1784; in 
which year, on the 1 1th of May, the town was called to consid- 
er the expediency of an application for an act of incorpora- 
tion. The subject produced ' a long debate, which was very 
masterly handled by the several speakers, though not without 
a small degree of tartness ; but concluded in the appointment 
of a committee of 13, to report whether there were defects in 
the existing mode of government, and, if necessary ,to report a 
plan for the better regulation of the police.' The Committee 
reported, on the 4th of June, two distinct plans, one of which 
proposed to vest the government in a Mayor, Recorder, and 
12 Aldermen, and 24 Common council men ; the other, to 
delegate nearly the same powers to 12 Selectmen (one from 
each ward) joined with a President and six selectmen chosen 
at large. 'I'he discussion on this report was ' lengthy, but 
displayed the greatest candour and liberality of sentiment ;' it 
closed with a motion to print the report and adjourn to the 
17th of June. The adjourned meeting proved a very tumul- 
tuous one. Several gentlemen endeavoured to ' fix the atten- 
tion of the town to the subject before them, but their arguments 
were drowned in the incessant shouts for the question. Dr. 
Charles Jarvis, peculiarly a man of the people, though now 
on the unpopular side, caught their attention for a few mo- 
ments : he concluded his remarks with a hope ' that every 
man, rich and poor, might be heard in his turn ; that the con- 
fusion that had commenced might subside; that love, friend- 
ship and urbanity might pervade the hall.' The momentary 
quietude was succeeded l)y a general cry of jVo corporation — 
j^o Mayor mid Aldermen, — jYo in')iovitiions. all echoed with un- 
abated roaring. Many gentlemen of character left the hall. 
As soon as the honourable moderator (Thos. Dawes Esq.) had 



364 iiisicuv i.t ^iusTu^•. 

ii in his power, the motion was put, and the vote was carried 
against ilie proposed alterations.' 

'i'his repulse did not dishearten the friends of a reform. 
They renewed their petition the next year (Nov. ], 1785) 
hut were received with less attention by the town, who imme- 
diately gave leave for them to withdraw. In 1792, another 
plan was brought forward, which simply proposed to create a 
town council, to be composed of the Selectmen, chosen as 
theretofore, and of three persons to be chosen from each of 
the wards (of which the town should be divided into nine.) 
Ihis council was to be invested with the powers of the town 
in its corporate capacity, to make by-laws and appoint inferior 
officers. The principal etiect of the change would have been 
to render frequent town-meetings unnecessarj'. It was also 
proposed to petition the court for (he establishment of a muni- 
cipal judge, who should have cognizance of all minor prosecu- 
tions lor causes arising within the town. Several meetings 
uere held, and the debates, which in the early stage were 
simply eloquent and warm, at last became turbulent and agi- 
tated, and the question was put to rest (Jan. 26th) by a vole 
of 701 against 517. Persons of both the great political par- 
ties, which began by this lime to be distinctly marked, were 
found on each side. The name of Mr. Benjamin Austin is 
prominent among th*^ opponents, and that of Mr. Sullivan (since 
Governour) among the friends of the measure. 

In 1804, Jan 12, two persons were chosen by each ward 
to compose a committee to devise a new system of govern- 
ment. A plan was matured, and being taken into considera- 
tion by the town, April 9th, after some debate it also was re- 
jected. ' A very great number of our citizens,' however, 
retained the ' wish that the name of Cih/ should be adopted ; 
being of opinion that this name has an etiect to raise the rank 
of a place in the estimation of foreigners, and is better adap- 
ted than the name of Town to express our real standing com- 
pared with the other cities of the Union.' This with other 
considerations occasioned another application to the town, in 
181 J, to obtain their consent to the adoption of the discrimi- 
nating appellation, universally given to their most distinguish- 
ed places, by the practice of all European powers.' Under 
the proposed system, said a committee, ' town-meetings will 
continue to be held and all questions relative to our political 
rights and interests to be discussed in them ; a course of pre- 
ceeding happily as inseparable from the genius of our consti- 
tution as it is justly dear to the afl'cctions of our citizens.'* 
Yet even with this reservation, the people could not be per- 
suaded to adopt the improvements recommended. Here it 



Krpori of Committeo, Oct. IB, 1815. 



HISTORY or BOSTON'. 3G5 

was thought the qnesiion was ' put to rest for some years :' 
but various causes conspired to revive it in 1821, and in 1822 
it was determined by the establishment of the City Govern- 
ment. 

Experience had proved that there was no real obstacle to 
the passage of a long code of excellent by-laws, adapted to 
every imaginable contingency. Officers too were not want- 
ing, whose duty and interest it was to carry them into execu- 
tion. There were nine Selectmen (whose chairman had been 
customarily superintendant of Police) 12 overseers of the 
poor, 30 Firewards and a School Committee of 12, annually 
chosen at March meeting.* A Board of Health, consisting of 
12 members (one chosen by each ward) had the regulation 
of Quarantine, and all such afil^irs, as concerned the health 
of the inhabitants. The town in publick meeting voted the 
amount of its annual taxes, and these were assessed by a board 
composed of 24 members (two for each ward) called Assis- 
tant Assessors, and three others, selected by the assistants to 
be Permanent Assessors. A Town Treasurer and Town 
Clerk completed the list of municipal officers. Each of these 
boards performed their duties with alacrity and fidelity, yet 
there was a universal complaint that every by-law was in- 
fringed with impunity, and the want of ' one efficient respon- 
sible head,' to take the lead in the affairs of the town and 
maintain a general oversight, was extensively felt. 

There were serious complaints too of the expense attending 
the Justices' courts. As the judicial concerns of the county 
stood regulated by law, man3i- petty suits were constantly 
brought by parties unable to pay the costs, and the justices 
of the peace whose duty it was to sit in judgment, had no al- 
ternative but to charge the same to the county, or in other 
words to the town.t Some abuses were thought to exist in 
this system, and a committee was appointed, July 2, 1321, to 
consider and report thereon. 

The report of this committee was laid before the town, 
Oct. 2'd ; and the consideration of it resulted in the appoint- 
ment of another committee, who were authorized to report 
' a complete system relating to the administration of the town 
and count}', which shall remedy the present evils, and to re- 
commend any other measures calculated to create a more 
efficient, responsible, and acceptable system for Town and 
County Government.' This committee consisted of Messrs. 



* The town also chose at March meetings, 20 surveyors of boards, 6 fence viewers, 6 cul- 
lers of hoops, 9 cullers of dry fish, 4 field drivers, 3 inspectors of linie, 2 surveyors of hemp, 2 
surveyors of wheat, and 2 assay masters. 

t Of the County tax, 1820, which was .SOjCWO doh. Chelsea paid 231,60. In 1821, of 
25,332,52, Chelsea paid 187,63. 



3G6 HIST iiiY OF Boston. 

John Phillips, Wdi. Sullivan, Charles Jackson, Wm. Prescott, 
VVm. Tudor, Geo. Blake, Henry Orne, Daniel Webster, Isaac 
Winslou', Lemuel Shaw, Stephen Codman, Joseph Tilden. 
Their report made on the 10th of Dec. was not sufficiently 
strong in favour of a city government : people were ready to 
enjoy the satisfaction of accepting or refusing something bet- 
ter. The committee was enlarged, with directions to report 
such a system as was ' contemplated by the amendment of the 
constitution, authorizing^ the General Court to constitute city 
governments.' Accordingly, on Monday the 31st day of 
Dec. the town was called together to consider and act upon 
such a system. The first step at this meeting was the deter- 
mination to take a final question on the subject, by written 
vote, on the Monday following : then the report was taken up 
by paragraphs. A motion to retain the name of Town of 
Boston was made, and warmly advocated, but was negatived. 
The committee had proposed to call the chief officer of the 
city by the name of * Intendant :' this was changed to 
' Mayor.' The committee proposed a board of ' seven se- 
lectmen ;' the town voted a board of eight Aldermen, and 
instead of a ' Board of Assistants,' recommended by the com- 
mittee, a board of Common Conncilmcn was determined upon. 
The Mayor and Aldermen were to be chosen by general 
ticket, by the qualified voters of the city voting in wards : 
each ward was to choose four Common Councilmen. The 
Mayor and Aldermen, sitting and acting together, were to 
compose one body ; and the board of Common Council to 
compose a separate body ; and both together (each having a 
negative upon the other) constitute the City Council. These 
provisions were accepted. The committee proposed to give 
the City Council power to choose Overseers of the Poor, Fire- 
wards and the School Con)mittee, but the vote prevailed, that 
those oflicers should be chosen in wards. All other corpo- 
rate powers, possessed by the town, were delegated to the 
City Council, except the right to sell or lease the Common 
and Faneuil Hall, which was reserved. The organization 
of the wards, which became necessary as a part of the propo- 
sed system, was arranged by a provision for the choice of a 
warden, clerk, and five inspectors of elections in each ward. 
The plan was completeil by the proposal of one Police Court, 
which should have cognizance of all ofl'ences against the by- 
laws of the ch}\ and of all minor causes usually decided by 
Justices of the peace. 

The discussions on this sul)jcct occupied three successive 
days, and called some of the first talents of the town into ex- 
ercise. Faneuil-Hall was thronged, yet every thing proceed- 
ed very orderly. Several questions arising, which were 
thought too important to be decided by hand vote, they were 



HISTORY OF liOSTdX. 367 

postponed to be determined by the ballot on the final ques- 
tion. Every thing being maliircd, the meeting ndjourned on 
Wednesday, to meet again on Monda}^ Jan. 7, 1822, to de- 
cide on the report as amended, when the result of the ballot- 
ing was as follows : 

Whole No. of votes 4f!39. 

1st Resolve.— Shall there be a City Government ' Yeas.. ..2805 

Nays....2006 
2d Resolve.— Shall the elective United States and State Officers 

be chosen in Wards ? Yeas... .2611 

Nays....219o 
Sd Resolve.— Shall the City Council decide the number of Rep- 
resentatives Yeas....2690 

Nays....2128 

4th Resolve — Shall the Town be a County, and have a Police Court? Yeas....4S57 

Nays 257 

Sth Resolve. — Shall the name be altered from Town of Bos- 
ton to City of Boston .i" Yeas....2727 

Nays. ...2087 

There was no little disappointment occasioned by this re- 
sult : the warm friends of a city had hoped for a larger ma- 
jority in their favour on the first question, and for a strong 
negative against the second : the opponents of the reform 
would not believe, till they had the demonstration, that the 
people of Boston would yield up their birth-right of self gov- 
ernment and self protection, for what some considered the 
mere tinsel of a name. The feature in the system, which 
more than any other circumstance saved it from being reject- 
ed, was that part which gave to the wards the right to choose 
overseers, school committee, and firewards. As those boards 
had heretofore been chosen, it had happened for the most part 
that all the members were selected from the political party, 
which for many years had been the majorit}' of the town. 
Some of the minority thought the present offered them a fa- 
vourable opportunity to secure a portion of those boards to 
their own party : and that, together with the general desire to 
effect a reibrm in the justices' courts, and the belief that such 
a reform could not be effected, otherwise than in connection 
with the establishment of a city government, probably turned 
the scale. 

The subject was forthwith presented to the legislature, and 
a law, framed on the principles of the report, received the 
signature of Governour Brooks, Feb. 23, 1822. The act re- 
served to the General Court the right to aher or amend the 
charter whenever they should deem it expedient : it ;dso pro- 
vided that the charter should be void, unless the inhabitants 
of Boston should accept it by written vote within 12 days. 
The former of these provisions was thought by some to be 



368 HISTORY Ot UOSTUN. 

verj- exccptionnble ; others considered it perfectly »uj;;atory. 
The hotter was in accordance with a proposition which had 
been offered to the town and rejected ; but those, who were 
gratified by this opportunity once more to atien)pt the defeat 
of the whole plan, were obliged also to submit again their fa- 
vourite feature (the choice of national and state officers by 
election in wards) to the hazard of a rejection. The final 
meeting took place on the fourth of IMarch, when a decision 
was obtained in favour of the charter by a majority of 916, 
(2797 to 1881,) and in favour of election in wards by a vole 
of 281.3 to 1887. The result was forthwith made known to 
the Governour, and he announced the fact by proclamation 
on the seventh of March. 



CHAPTER LXII. 

" - - - The patriot Council met, the full, 
The free, and fairly represented whole; 
For all they planii'd the holy g^uardian laws, 
DistinguishVl orders, animated arts, 
And with Joint force oppression chaining, set 
Imperial justice at the helm." 

Pursuant to the direction of the charter, the Selectmen 
made a new division of the town into twelve wards, in such 
manner as to include an equal number of inhabitants in each 
ward, as nearly as conveniently might be, taking the last 
census made under the authority of the United States as a 
basis for such computation.* 'Jhis was done on the 1.3ih of 
IMarch, and the various parties immediately proceeded to 
take the steps prc[)aratory to an organization of the wards. 
There was no dilBcDlty in finding candidates for all the olli- 
ces, together with large quotas of rallying-commitiees and 
vote-distributors. When the second Monday of April arrived, 
there was little doubt respecting the result of any of (he 
elections,except that of the Mayor. A ticket for the board of 
aldermen had been framed on such principles as were calcu- 
lated to ensure its success : the various fiartio.- had each re- 
ceived a pledge that all should share the honours of that of- 
fice. But in regard to the chief mai:i^lracy of the Cit}', it 
was an honour which could not be divided, and the contest 



* The Act jiloces it ' in the power of the City council — from lime to time, not oftcner than 
once in ten years, to nltfr such divisions of wards, in such a manner ns loprcsorve,ns nearl* 
AS may be, an eijuul iiumlicr of inhabitants in ciich ward.' 



HISTORY OF iicsroN^ 369 

was warm between the friends ul several eminent individuals. 
It was soon ascertained that the board of Aldermen would be 
filled by Messrs. Ephraim Eliot, Joseph Head, Bryant P. Til- 
den, JVatfil P. Russell^ Joseph Lovering, Samuel Billincrs, Jo- 
seph Jenkins, and Jacob Flail. Ii was also ascertained that 
there would be no choice of Mayor, and it appeared from the 
official canvass that the votes were principally divided be- 
tween Messrs. H. G. Otis and Josinh Quincy.* The friends 
of the former gentleman immediately withdrew his name from 
the list of candidates for the niayorahy, and Mr. Quincy, in 
his own name, publickly declined the honour. The excite- 
ment on this occasion was excessive, but it rapidly subsided, 
and in the course of four days, the eyes of all parties were 
fixed on the Hon. John Phillips, as the man whose character 
would command a universal sulfragc. He consented to the 
nomination, and at the next election (Tuesday, April 16th) re- 
ceived an almost unanimous vole.f 

The first of May was appointed by the charter as the day 
for the commencement of the municipal year.| Suitable pre- 
parations were made in Faneuil Hall for the ceremonies of 
inducting the Maj^or and other officers into their new stations. 
A platform, raised about two feet from the floor, was thrown 
from the selectmen's box to nearly the extent of the hall. On 
this the Selectmen of the past year, the Aldermen, and Com- 
mon Council elect were accommodated with chairs and set- 
tees, the floor being covered with carpets. Two of the galleries 
were filled with ladies and the Hall was crowded to excess. 
The Rev. Dr. Baldwin (as senior in age of the clergymen of 
the metropolis) addressed the throne of grace in prayer. 
Chief Justice Parker administered the oaths of allegiance and 
office to the Mayor elect, who in turn administered similar 
oaths to the Aldermen and members of the Common Council. 
The Chairman of the selectmen (Mr Eliphalet Williams) then 
rose, and, after an appropriate address, delivered the city 
charter to the Mayor, contained in a superb silver case, and 
the ancient act incorporating the town nearly two centuries 
past, together with all the books of records, title deeds, and 
documents belonging to the inhabitants. He concluded with 
a compliment to the wisdom and judgment, which had select- 
ed the gentlemen composing the present boards, for the pur- 
pose of putting into operation the new and untried system of 
cil}' government. 

*Tlie whole number of votes was 370f;, of which Mr. Q. had 1736— Mr. 0. 1384— Thomas 
L. Wiiithrop, 361— Others 227. 

tlVli-. Phillips had 2500 votes : whole number was 2650. 

i All amendment, made Jan. 27, 182S, make'; the municipal year to commence with the cal- 
endar year from and after Jan. l, li!26. 

47 



370 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

The address of the Mayor commenced with ample testi- 
mony to the wisdom of those institutions, which our ancestors 
established for the management of their municipal concerns, 
and to the intelligence and experience of our citizens, who 
had for so long a period meditated a change and exerted 
their influence to effect it. He spoke in full terms of the abil- 
ity, diligcncr and integrity of the boards of Selectmen, justly 
denominated the fathers of the Town, and acknowledged par- 
ticular obligations to the board now retiring from office. His 
concluding obscivations give a fair view of the merits of the 
city charter, and at the same time exhibit, in strong light, the 
traits in the publick and private character of their author, 
which endeared him to men of all parties. 

' Difference of opinion must be expected, and mufiial concessions made, in 
all cases where tlie interest of a larg-o community is to be accommodated. 
The precise form in which this charter is presented may not be acceptable to 
all, hut its provisions have mot the approbation of a large majority, and it will 
receive the support of every jjood citizen. Those who encourage hopes that 
can never be realized, and those who indulge unreasonable apprehensions, be- 
cause this instrument is not framed agreeably to their wishes, will be benefitted 
by reflecting how rnuch more our social happiness depends upon other causes, 
than the provisions of a charter. Purity of manners, general diffusion of 
knowledge, and strict attention to the education of the young, and above all a 
firm practical belief of that divine revelation, which has affixed the penalty of 
unceasing anguish to vice, and promised to virtue rewards of interminable du- 
ration, wdl counteract the evils ol' any form of government. While the love 
of order, benevolent affections and christian piety, distinguish as they have 
done the inhabitants of this city, they may enjoy the highest blessings under a 
charter with so few imperfections, as that which the wisdom of our Legislature 
has sanctioned. — In my official intercourse I shall not encumber you with un- 
necessary forms, or encroach upon your time by proli.x dissertations. In all 
the communications which the charter requires me to make, conciseness and 
brevity will be carefully studied. I will detain you no louger — than to in- 
vite you to unite in beseeching the Father of lights, without whose blessing 
all exertion is fruitless, and whose grace alone can give efficacy to the coun- 
cils of human wisdom, to enlighten and guide our deliberations, with the in- 
fluence of his holy spirit, and then we cannot fail to promote the best inter- 
ests of our fellow citizens.' 

After the address, the boards withdrew. The Common 
Council was organized by the choice of Hon. \Villiam Prescott 
for President, and ]\lr. Thomas Clark (late town clerk) 
for Clerk of the Common Council, and the two boards in 
Convention elected Samuel F. McCleary, Esq. City Clerk.* 

The first year of the city government passed away without 
producing any events of a striking character. There wat> no 



* The Police Court was organixed by the Goveniour by the appointment of Messrs. Ben- 
jamin Whitman, Henry Orne, and William Simmons, esquire.s •■>* Justices, and Thomas 
Power, rsi|. Clerk. lis first session was held on the 20th of June, 1822. 

The Police Act, so called, gives to this court jurisdiction in all cases theretofore triable by 
Justices of Peace ; makes all warrants issued by any J. of P. returnable before the Police 
court ; and provides that no fees shall be paid for warrants issued by a J. P. unless this court 
shall decide that there was just and rcasoMablc cause for the issuing lljereof. ic. Alc 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



371 



cause of special complaint, and nothing occurred to excite 
special admiration. At its close, the Mayor together with 
the board of Aldermen (one member excepted) declined a re- 
election. Mr. Quincy was again solicited to consent to being 
a candidate for t!ic mayoralty, and was elected on the second 
Monday of April, 1823. An entire new board of Aldermen 
was chosen, and a majority of the members of the Common 
council were also new members.* 

The Mayor's inaugural addresss paid the merited compli- 
ment to the services of that high and honourable individu;d, 
who had preceded him in the office,! and the wise, prudent, 
and faithful citizens who composed the first City Council. 

' Their labours,' said he, ' have been indeed, in a measure, unobtrusive, but 
they have been various, useful, and well considered. Tliey have laid the foun- 
dations of the prosperity of our city, deep and on right principles. — A task 
was committed to the first administration to perform, in no common degree 
arduous and delicate. — In the outset of a new form of government, among 
variously affected passions and interests, and among indistinct expectations, 
impossible to realize, it was apparently wise to shape the course of the first 
administration, rather by the spirit of the long experienced constitution oftiie 
town than by that of the unsettled charter of the city. It was natural for pru- 
dent men, first entrusted with city authorities, to apprehend that measures 
partaking of the mild, domestick character of our ancient institutions, might 
be as useful and would be likely to be more acceptable than those « hich should 
develop the entire powers of the new government. It is yet to be proved 
whether, in these measures, our predecessors were not right. 

' In executing the trust,' he proceeds, ' which my fellow citizens have con- 
fided to me, I shall yield entirely to the influences and be guided exclusively 
by the principles of the city charter ; striving to give prudent efficiency to all 
its powers, endeavouring to perform all its duties, in forms and modes, at 
once the most useful and most acceptable to my fellow citizens. If at any 
time, however, through any intrinsick nicompatibility, it is impracticable to 
unite both these objects, I shall in such case, follow duty ; and leave the event 
to the decision of a just, wise and generous people. In every exigency, it 
will be my endeavour to imbibe and to exhibit, in purpose and act, the spirit of 
the city charter.' 

The new boards entered with alacrity upon the duties of 
their various offices. The course they pursued was such as 
to excite a general expression of admiration. The Mayor 
and Aldermen were re-elected in 1824, without any consider- 
able opposition ; some extracts from the iVlayor's inaugural 
address will furnish us with the best view of the transactions 
of the first year of his administration. 

' The acts of the administration of the past year had reference to morals ; 
to comfort ; and convenience ; and ornament. — With respect to morals, there 



* The votes, for Mr. Quincy, 2504 : for Geo. Blake, Esq. 2179 : others, St. 

The Aldermen were Messrs. Caleb Eddy, Daniel Baxter, David W. Child, Stephen Hooper, 
Joseph H. Dorr, George Odiorne, Enoch Patterson and Ashur Benjamin. 

t Mr. Phillips lived only a few weeks after his retirement from the office of Mayor. He 
was seized with an attack of angina pectoris while attending- his publick duties on the day of 
General Election, May 28, 1823, and his death took place on the following morning. He was 
in the 33d year of his age. 



372 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



Iiad existed in one section of (lie city Hn audacious obtrnsivencss ol' vice, noto- 
rious and inn.fntahJe ; si-tting at defiance not only the decencies of life but the 
authority of the laws. The evil was nut in the face. — In spite of clamour, of 
threat, of insult ; — a dctrrnniiicd covirso was pursued The whole section was 
put under the ban of authority. All licenses in it were denied, a vigorous po- 
lice was organized, Mliich, aided by the courts of justice and tlie House of cor- 
rection, efiected its put pose. — These measures did not originate in any theo- 
iies or visions of ideal purity, attainable in the existing state of human society, 
but in a single sense of duty and respect for the character of the city. — The 
expense, by which this effect has been produc»d, has been somewhat less thau 
one thousand «lollars ; an amount already, perhaps, saved to the community 
in the diminution of those prosecutions and of their costs, which the continu- 
ance ot the former unobstructed course of predominating vice, in that section 
vrotild have occasioned. 

llie next object of attention of the City government was the cleansing of 
the streets. In cities as well as among individuals, cleanliness has rcfeieiice 
to morals as well as to comfort. Sense of dignity and self-respect are 
essentially connected with purity, physical and moral. And a city is as much 
elevated as an individual by self-ri spect. To remove from our streets what- 
ever might offend the sense or endanger the health was the first duty. To do 

It as economically as «as consistent with doing it well, was the second. 

'Ihe N^idening of our streets as occasions offered was the iie.xt object, to 
which the attention of the city administration was directed ; and the one in- 
volving the greatest expense, 'ihe circumstances of the limes, and the cnter- 
prize ol j)ri\ate individuals optned opportunities, in this respect, unexampled, 

in point of number and importance The administration availed themselves 

of those opportunities, as a matter of duty, in the actual condition of a city so 
extremely irregular and inconvenient as is Boston, in (he original plan and 
projection ol its streets. Important improvements have been made in Lvnn, 
onip, Thacher, and Mill Pond Streets ; in Hanover, Elm, Brattle, Court 'and 
iJnion Streets ; in Temple. LvmfJ>, Summer, and Milk Streets ; in Federal, 

tJrange, Eliot, and Warren Streets.' 

^"°'''t''' object of attention finring the past year has been the drains. 

i lie principle adopted was to taVv all new drains into the hands of the city ; — 
to divide the expense as equally as po-ssible among those estates immedii.tely 
Jenefittul : upon principles applicable to the particular nature of this subject, 
and retain in the city the whole property bolh as it respects control and as- 
sessment,' 

A new Mall has been nearly completed on Charles Street, and all the 
misging and dead trees of the old .Malls, the Common and Fort Hill, have been 
replaced with a care and protection, which almost insure success to these orna- 
ments of the city.' 

Two objects of very great interest to which the proceedings of last year 
iiave reference, remain to be elucidated. The purchase of the interest of the 
proprietors of the Rope \\ alks, w< .-.t of the Common ; and the projected im- 
provements about Faneuil Hall Mai ket.- In conscc|uence of the exclusion 

of the water by (he Mill Dam, a tract of land has been opened either for sale, 
as an object of profit, or for use, as an object of ornament, with which the 
"gbis ol these proprietors absolutely interfered. It was thought that no mo- 
nieiit could be inore favourable than the present to secure a reliiKiuishnuni of 
those rights. An agieement of reference has been entered into, w ilh those 
proprietors, and the amount to be paid by the city for such rcliiKpiishment, 
lias been left to the decision of five of our most intelligent, indcijendent and 

confidential citizens.' 

'Jouching the projected improvements, in the vicinity of Faneuil Hall 
Market, not only the extreme necessities of the city, in relation to space lor a 
market, have letl to this project, but also the particular relations ol thai vicini- 
ty have indicated the wisdom and policy, even at some risque ami sacrifice, of 
bringing together in one compact, efficient, and commodious connexion, the 
not them and central seciiuns of our city, so us to facilitate Ihe intrrcourse of 
business and enlerpri/e between Iheiii, and bring into miirkel, and inlo use, 
and into improvement, parts of ihe city, at present old, sightless, inconvenient, 
and in comparison with that compeiency, which must result from a judicious 
arranjfemeiii, at pies«nl absolutely useless. Bolh these measures ul the City 



HISTOllY OF HOSTO.V. 373 

Government, relative to the Rope Walks and to Faneuil Hall Market, will ne- 
cessarily lead to what, to many of our citizrns, is an object of great dread, a 

city debt.' 'To create a debt is a power, vestfrd by onr charter, in the City 

Council. Now this, like every other power, is to be characterized by its use. 
' The destinies of the City of Boston, are of a nature too plain to be denied, 
or misconceived. The progiiosticks of its future greatness are written on the 
face of nature, too legibly, Mud too indelibly to be mistaken. These indications 
are apparent from the location of our city, from its harbour, and its relative 
position among rival towns and cities ; above all, from the character of its 
inhabitants, and the singular degree of enterprizCj and intelligence, which are 
ditlused through every class of its citizens. Already capital and population 
is determined towards it, from other places, by a certain and irresistible pow- 
er of attraction. It remains tlien, for the citizens of Boston to be true totheir 
own destinies ; to be willing to meet wise expenditures and temporary sacri- 
fices, and thus to co-operate with nature and providence in their apparent ten- 
dencies to promote their greatness and prosperity ; thereby not only improv- 
ing the general condition of the city, elevating its character, multiplying its 
accommodations and strengthening the predilections, which exist already in 
its favour ; but also patronizing and finding employment for its labourers and 
mechanicks. It is true the power of credit, like every other power, is subject 
to abuse. But to improve the general convenience of the city, to augment its 
facilities for business, to add to the comfort of its inhabitants, and in this way 
to augment its resources, are among the most obvious and legitimate uses of 
that power, which doubtless, for these purposes, was entrusted to the City 
Council.' 

The labours of the city government (during the year, which 
commenced with May, 1824, were chiefly devoted to the 
completion of the plan, and the accomplishment of the im- 
provements in the vicinity of the market. An effort was also 
made to advance a project for an improvement of the flats at 
the bottom of the Common (which the cit}' o})lained at the 
price of 50,000 dollars,) but it was discouraged by a vote of 
the inhabitants in town-meeting. Publick attention was also 
excited to a difference of opinion between the city coun- 
cil and the board of overseers of the poor, relative to the 
powers of each, in the government of the Aims-House and 
House of Industry. A plan was submitted to the people pro- 
posing that the choice of that board should be vested in the 
City Council, but a vote could not be obtained for an altera- 
tion of the charter for that purpose.* A new organization of 
the Health dr-partment took place, by which the duties here- 
tofore performed by 12 persons, one resident in each ward, 
are transferred to one Health-officer, and the regulations of 



* The alterations, that have been made in the charter, are by Acts of the legislature, Jan. 
30, 1823, authorizing- the Mayor and Aldermen to increase the number of engine men ; Feb. 
23d, authorizing City Council to choose nine directors of the House of Industry,tc.— June 10, 
1823, authorizing Council to elect the Mayor and Aldermen surveyors of high ways.— June 
12, 1824, an act regulating the house of correction and the form of actions under the by-laws, 
and to provide for the tilling of vacancies in the board of Aldermen.— Jan. 27, 1825, act to 
alter the time of commencing the municipal year. June session, to abolish the board of fire- 
wards and organize a fire department : and by an order of the City Council, March, 22, 1824, 
the charter is so amended that vacancies in the office of Ward clerk may be tilled whenever 
lliey occur. 



374 UlSTOKY OF BOSTOX. 

quarantine made more conformable to the views of enlighten- 
ed experience and less burdensome to the commercial com- 
munity. 

Previous to the expiration of this year, one of the alder- 
men, Mr. Hooper, had deceased, and two others, Messrs. Eddy 
and Benjamin, had ceased to officiate : the remainiiig 
members of the board it was understood would decline a re- 
election. A Union ticket was however formed, which bore 
the names of two of them. All the gentlemen named on it 
■were elected by large majorities : five of them declined the 
service, and tlie vacancies were filled at a subsequent elec- 
tion.* Mr. Quincy was re-elected to the mayoralty by a 
vote almost unanimous. More than half of the common coun- 
cil were new members. These boards will continue in office 
until the first Monday of January next. 



CHAPTER LXIII. 

" The cily rear'd 
In beauteous pride her sky-encircled head.'' 

It was anticipated with much certainty by the advocates 
for a city government, that the change would pj-oduce a fa- 
vouiable cflect on the interests of the city, in relation to pub- 
lick improvements. Thai anticipation has not been disap- 
pointed. Individuals have been more active in putting their 
private estates into belter repair, several companies have as- 
sociated to make extensive alterations in adjoining lots,t and 
the city has undertaken a magnificent project in the neigh- 
bourhood of Faneuil Hall market. 

A fire which destroyed six houses and stores with out hous- 
es in Union street (July 14, 1821) made way for the improve- 
ment, which has been made by the erection of the block of 
brick stores and dwellings on the north side of that street, and 
led to the completion of the range of brick buildings on the 



• Tlie gentlemen chosen at the annual meeting, Ap. 11, 1825, were Messrs. Daniel Baxter 
and Joseph 11. Dorr, (of the former board) N. P. Russell, (of the first l>oard) lU-dl'ord Wt'b- 
itcr and Thomas B. Wales, who declined ; and Messrs. Gtorge Blake, Thomns H\hh jr. Hen- 
ry J. Olhcr, who accepted the office. At the second choice Messrs. John D. Dyer, Daniel 
Carney, Josiah Munhnll, John Belloxvs, John Hryanl were elected. 

t In the summer of tail, a memorandum was taken of 19-1 new buildings then in a .stale of 
forwardness. 







^ 

^ 
< 

sa 









HISTORY OF BOSTON. 



375 



south side. Winthrop place in Summer street, Hayward 
place, St. Paul's Row and Phillips' Row on Common street, 
Bowdoin row in Court street, Crescent court on Green street, 
the elegant block of stone stores on Water street, and of stone 
houses in Washington street, are each examples of enterprize, 
which have added to the comfort and convenience of the in- 
habitants. 

State street has shared in the general improvements. A 
number of the old buildings have been demolished and ele- 
gant stone ones erected in their stead. The United States 
Branch Bank demands a particular description. It is situated 
at the head of Wilson's lane and constitutes a chief ornament 
of our Exchange.* The building is about 44 ft. in front and 
96 ft. deep. The portico is an imitation from the primitive 
form of the Grecian Temple, with little variation, excepting 
what was necessary in order to adapt it to the location, and 
to the refractory material (Chelmsford granite) of which it 
was to be built. The columns are of the Grecian Dorick, 
4 ft. in diameter and 24 ft. high,the shaft being a single piece. 

Ground Plan of the United States Bank. 




In the front part of the building, on the first floor, there is 
an entry, and two rooms for the President and Cashier ; and 
in the second story over them, a large room for the use of 
the Directors. The centre of the building is occupied for the 
Banking room, which is a rotunda, 36 feet in diameter, and 44 



* The first outline of a plan for this building' was made for the situation which is occupied 
hy the Old State house, and was intended to be an imitation of the purest example of the Gre- 
cian Dorick order with two porticos ; but the scite, which was finally obtained, required a dif- 
ferent arrangement. One of the porticos was dispensed with, and Antae at the angles intro- 
duced, according- to the primitive form of the Grecian Temple The shafts of the columns 
arc frustums of cones, the sides being right lines, which, being the most severe and simple 
form, seemed the best adapted to the occasion. The corner stone of this edifice was laid on 
Monday, July 5,1824. Mr. Solomon Wiilard was the designer and architect ; Mr. Gridley 
Bryant the master mason, and Mr. James JIcAUaster, master cai-peiuer. 

The capital stock of this bank, employed in Boston, is 1,500,000 dls. There are 15 other 
Banks which employ a capital of ll,OSO,O0Odls : and 21 Insurance Companies whose capital 
is 6,300,000 dollars. 



376 HISTOIIY OF UOSTON. 

ft. high to the top of the curb stone. The rear of ihc building 
contains the vaults, which open into the Banking room, and a 
nun)ber of other apartments which arc to serve for the vari- 
ous purposes of the institution. 

The destructive fire, wliich occurred on the 7th of April 
last,* laid in ruins ahnost the whole of the s<|uare between 
Doanc-st. Broad, Battery march and Kilbj' streets. "^Ihe 
buildings on the square between Adams-st. Milk, Battery ivJ. 
street and Liberty square had just been demolished for the 
purpose of ereclint; on the spot a lar^e block of stores. Both 
these squares are now covered with new and convenient 
buildings, nearly finished. One of the stores on Central 
street was occupied in August. 

The House of Industry and House of Cori'cclion at South 
Boston, which are two similar buildings, of rough dimension 
stone, 220 ft. long, 43 ft. wide, and 29 ft. high, have been 
mostly erected Ijy the city government. 'J'he establishment 
of the H. of C. was authorized by a vote of the town on the 7lh 
of May, 1821. It was designed 'for the restraint and em- 
ployment of the idle and vicious poor, for habitual drimkards, 
beggars and those condemned for petty ollences, in the in- 
ferior courts of justice. The House of Industry is destined 
for the comfort, support, and relief, and as far as they arc 
competent, for the employment of the virtuous poor, and of 
those alone who arc reduced to seek this rel'uge, from mis- 
fortune or age or infancy.' 

The County Gaol in Leverett street and the House of 
Correction coimected with it, and the Municipal Coui't house, 
all which are handsome stone buildings, wei'e connnenced 
several years since, but were not finished and occupied till 
the 3'ear 1822. In 1823, (he old gaol was taken down, aiul 
its materials were partly used in constructing the Gun house 
and Ward Room on Thacher street.! 

'I'he history of Boston furnishes us with many instances of 
enterprizc, which have excited admiration. The construc- 



* It coiniiipnced in Doane street. Five buildings were destroyed on Statc-st. fi in Donne^ 
€ in Kilby, 19 in Central street (every building) 4 oil ISruad-st. aud 13 on Liberty square. 
Most of tbein were fire proof brick stores, filled m iib valuable goods, I'oreig-u jiroducUi and 
Ainericao manufactures. 

Tbe great fire, at noon-day, July, 7, 1821, destroyed fifteen brick dwelling- bouses, besides 
out houses, onCbesnut, Charles and Deacon streets. 

t The Old Courl ffome on the south side of Court-street, is n bundsome building of brick, 
three stories high, and has on the roof an octagon cupola. On the lower floor are the oOices 
of the Unileil States District .'Vlrtrsliall. and several private offices. In the second slorj', the 
floor of whicii is supported by pillars of the Tuscan order, arc liehl the Circuit ami District 
Courts of the U. S. for the MassacliU'>etts District, and the ofticeof the District Clerk. In 
the third story are convenient rooms for jurors, 4lC. This building, before the erection of tin 
Kew l.'ourt House, described at page aUl, w.is used by all the courts of law held iu the count* . 



a 






H 






a 



n 




HISTORY OF BOSTON. 377 

tion of the sea-wall or out-wharves, in 1G73, was a stupendous 
undertaking, for that period ; it proved however to be an ob- 
ject of less utility, than was at first supposed. The building 
of Long wharf was a great and useful work. These 
and the partial filling up of the town dock were the principal 
efforts, made previous to the revolution, for the iuiprovetnent 
of the natural advantages which the town possessed. Con- 
cerning the immense and costly works which have been ac- 
complished since that era, we have spoken at large. But the 
project, uhich exceeds them all in boldness of design, in 
promise of puhjick benefit, and in energy of execution, is that 
which is now approaching to its accompiisliment in the vicin- 
ity of Faneuil Hall Market. 

Such an undertaking, involving such an amount of property, 
and affecting so many private rights, was too great to be pro- 
secuted without the express sanction of the people. This was 
obtained by a very full vote, in city meeting, Jan. 16, 1824, 
when the following questions were proposed and decided in 
the affirmative. 1. Is it expedient that Faneuil Hall market 
should be extended towards the harbour, between Ann-street 
and the street leading to Bray's wharf, in such direction as 
the City Council, upon a view of all the cixcumstances of that 
vicinity, shall deem most for the publick interest ; and 
that they be requested to cause the same to be effected ac- 
cordingly ? — 2. Is it expedient for the City Council to apply 
to the legislature for such an extension of the powers of the 
surveyors of highways as the circumstances of the contem- 
plated project, above mentioned, may make necessary, under 
such limitations and restrictions as the constitution requires, 
an<l as respect for private rights may dictate V 

The legislature granted the proposed power, but there has 
been little occasion to exorcise it : most, if not all the estates 
required, have been obtained with the consent of the parties 
interested. The old buildings were taken down in August ; 
the lots on the north side of the dock were sold at auction, 
Sept. 29th, 1824. The highest price obtained was $20,83 
per square foot : the lowest $7. There were 36 lots, cover- 
ing 30,037:^ feet, and the amount of sales was $303,495 44cts. 
The lots on the south side of the intended market-house were 
sold, March 31, 1825. The highest price $21 per sq. foot, 
lowest $10. There were 22 lots covering 33,865 ft. and the 
amount of sales was $403,848 13 cts. The stores on the 
north side are already finished, as to the exterior, and the 
one which stands on the corner of the Roebuck passage,where 



The Police Court holds its sessions here daily lor the trial of criminal cases, and twice : 
week, at least, for that of ' civil suits and actions.' 

49 



378 



HISTORY OF BOSTOK. 



the triangular warehouse formerlj stood, was occupied by a 
tenant, Sept. 12, 1825. The stores on the south side, and 
the Market-house also, are rapidly progressing.* 

The N<;\v jMarket-house stands between these two ranges 
of stores, at the distance of 102 ft. from those on the south 
side, and 65 ft. from the north. The centre part of the build' 
ing is 74 ft. 6 in. by 55 ft. having a hall in the second story. 
The wings are 231 ft. long by 50 wide, and two stories high. 
There is a cellar under the whole. The wings have each a 
portico of 4 columns, 3 ft. 7 in. diameter and 23 ft. high ; the 
shafts are ofgraniteina single piece. The first story has 
arched windows, and those in the second story are square. 
The construction of the whole is of hammered granite of a 
uniform colour. 

The corner stone of this building was laid with much cere- 
mony, 'i'he })late deposited beneath it bears the names of 
the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council, Building Com- 
mittee and Principal Architect, and Engraver, besides the 
following inscription : 

jFancuiT ^ynli fHarftrt, 

Eslahllshed by the City of Boston. This stotie zvas laid April 
27, Anno Domini Mdcccxxv. In the forty-ninth year of Amer- 
ican Independence and in the third of the Incorporation of the 
city. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States. 
Marcus Morton, Lt. Gov. and Commander in chief of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts. 

Memoranda. The population of the city estimated at 50,000: 
that of the United States 1 1 ,000,o6o.t 



* The height and form of the stores were regulated by the conditions of sale. The pur- 
chaser was required to erect, within a limited lime, a brick store with hammered stone front, 
(praniie piers) in strict conformity with a plan drawn by Mr. Alex. Parris. This plan re- 
quired that the stores should bo fnur stories high, with a slated roof, and a cellar water- 
tight. The height of the fust and second story is 8 ft. 6 inches : the 3d story is 8 ft. 9 in. and 
the 4th is 6 ft. 6 inches, in the clear. The windows in the 2d storj' are arched : the others 
are square. The blocks measure about 530 ft. in length, from Merchants-row to tlie street at 
the east end of the Market-house. 

t The population of Boston, according to the census of 1E20, stood thus ; 



Persons. 



d2 



•Hi: e; 



Whites 
Blacks . 



10590 



5349 



877 



7832 
689 



12991 
727 



4037 
285 



of both sexes, under 26 yrs. 

Add for the Islands, 675; Persons not taxed, 61 -, Omitted, 31 
Total, Males, 21,687— Females, 22,365 .- 92 = 
Uy the Census of 18)0, the population was 

„ „ 1800 

, .. nno 



41,t;76 
1,701 
767 
44,144 
33,250 
24,937 
1 8,038 



L^^ 



g5 






IS 



1?- 







UiSTOUl O^ liOSTON, 37Q 



CHAPTER LXIV. 

•'The Hero hath come in the eve of his day, 

To the land where he planted the tree of his glofy." 

We have omitted to notice the display of pomp and cere- 
mony, in which the people of Boston exhibited their devotion 
to President Washington, when he visited the town in 1789, 
(Oct. 24,) and the similar display which took place on the 
visit of President Monroe, July 2, 1817. Both these events 
called forth a burst of patriotick ieeling, of which it is pleasant 
to cherish the recollection. But the splendour of that display 
has been surpassed, and the height of that feeling has been, if 
possible, more than equalled by the reception of General La 
Fayette, and the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the 
monument on Bunker Hill. 

Lafayette arrived at New York on the 16th of August, 
1824, where he was welcomed in a manner becoming his own 
character and that of the people whom he had come to visit : 
and the people oi' Boston gladly heard of his determination to 
proceed itnmediately hither, in season to attend the exercises 
of commencement, at Cambridge. On the evening of Mon- 
day, August 24th, he reached the residence of Gov. Eustis, in 
Roxbury, and the next morning entered the city. 

At an early hour, a cavalcade of 800 citizens waited to es- 
cort him to the town line, where the Mayor and Aldermen and 
Common Council, with a committee of arrangements, were in 
readiness to receive him. A military escort consisting of a 
corps of Light Dragoons and a battalion of Light Infantry 
were also stationed there. On the arrival of General Lafay- 
ette at the line, the Mayor of the City, in the name of the City 
Government and of the citizen's of Boston, bade him welcome, 
in an appropriate address, to which the General replied, as 
follows : 

To the Mayor and People of Boston : 

' The emotions of love and gratitude, which I have been accustomed to feel 
on my entering this city, have ever mingled with a sense of religious reve- 



The number of polls rated in 1824, was 10,397 : in 1810, it was 7764 ; in 1793 it was 3631 : 
in 1784, it was 1143; in 1741—2972 ; in 1738—3395; in 1687—1457. See pp. 218, 254. 

The town of Chelsea contains 642 inhabitants; Charlestown, 6591 ; .Medford, 1474; Mai- 
den, 1719 ; Watertown, 1518; Cambridge, 3295; Brighton, 702; Brookline, 900; Koxbury, 
4135; Dorchester, 3684: these towns constitute the environs of Boston. Their population 
24,660 added to that of Boston, as above, makes a total of 68,804. 



.580 HlolOUl i;F BOSTON. 

rence for (he Ciadle of America n, and, let us hope it will be hereafter said, of 
universal liberty. 

' What must be, sir, tny feelings at the blessed motnent when after so long 
an ahst-nce, I feel myself again snrroiiuderi by the good citizens of Boston, 
Mheie I am so affectionately, so honouiably welcomed, not only by old fiir-nds, 
but by several successive generations ; where 1 can witness the prospi-rity, 
the immense improvement, that have been tliejust reward of a noble struggle, 
virtuous morals, and truly republican institutions. 

'I beg of you, Mr. Mayor, gentlemen of the City Council, and all of you, 
beloved citizens of Boston, to accept the respectful and warm thanks of a 
heart which has for nearly half a century been particularly devoted to your 
Illustrious City.' 

The Mayor then entered the harouchc of the General, 
which ^vas drawn by lour white hoi>es, and the procession 
began to move towards the town about 11 o'clock. It passed 
through ^Vashington, Milk, Broad, State, Court and Coramon 
streets to Boylston street, and entered the Common near the 
south end of the Mall. From this point towards Park street, 
the children of the publick schools of both sexes were extend- 
ed in two lines, neatly clad and under the direction of their 
instructers. Between these lines the j)rocession of carriages 
passed to Park street mall, w here the military part of the es- 
cort was drawn up and the General passed them in review, 
as he went towards the State House. Here he was received 
and again welcomed, in the name of the State, by His Ex- 
cellency Gov. Eustis. He was thence conducted to the 
residence provided for him, at the corner of Beacon and 
Park streets. 

' The appearance of the entire of this truly grand proces- 
sion was august and imposing. As it passed, Lafayette .' La- 
fayette ! sprang from the voice of multitudes that rolled on, 
and on, like wave after wave of the ocean. Lafayette beat in 
every heart •, Lafayette glowed on ever}' cheek ; Lafayette 
glistened in every swimming eye ; every tongue vibrated 
Lafavette. The whole city and country appeared to have 
arrayed themselves in all their glory, and beauty, and 
strength, at once to witness an.d adorn the majesty of the 
spectacle.' 

During the General's sta}' the popular excitement was con- 
stant and increasing ; every thing gave way to the desire of 
seeing Lafayette, and every means was taken to demonstrate 
the joy which his arrival had produced, and to manifest the 
respect which every individual cherished towards him. He 
left Boston, with the intention, if possible, to prolong his stay 
in America, tintil the seventeenth day of the succeeding June, 
in order (o be present at the laying of the corner stone of the 
Bunker Hill monument ; and he was here on that day : 'it is 
not necessary to .'^ay. indeed it cannot be said, how much his 
presence added to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.' 

The day was temperate and fair, and all the oirangements 
made to honour it were executed with punctuality and good 



HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 381 

order. A procession was formed, about half past 10 A. M. 
near the State house under the direction of Brig. Gen. Theo- 
dore Lyman Jr. The military escort was composed of 16 
companies, and a corps of cavalry, all volunteers and in full 
uniform. Next to them followed the Survivors of the Battle^ 
about 40 in number, and after them about 200 other Revolu- 
tionary officers and soldiers each wearing an appropriate 
badge : then the subscribers to the Monument, in columns 
six deep, all wearing the badge of the B. H. M. Association. 
The Masonick fraternity succeeded. This section of the pro- 
cession was very splendid, and numbered at least 2000 mem- 
bers, all with their jewels and regalia. The President and 
officers of the Association, the chaplains and committees fol- 
lowed. General Lafayette in a coach and four came next, 
accompanied by Gen. Lallemand, and followed by a carriage 
in which were the General's son and suite. The Governour 
and State officers, distinguished persons from the diflerent 
states, officers of the army, navy and militia, in uniform, and a 
large body of private citizens closed the procession. 

In this order the whole moved through Park, Common, 
School, Washington, Union, Hanover and Prince stre* ts to 
Charles River Bridge, and thence through the Main, 
Green, and High streets, in Charlestown, to the Monumental 
square. The front of the procession had nearly reached the 
bridge when the rear of it left the Common. Arrived at the 
spot intended for the monument, (which is a little to the east 
of the site of the monument to VV^arren,) the procession formed 
in squares around it ; and the stone, being squared, levelled 
and plumbed by the Grand Master, the General, and the Hon. 
Daniel Webster, (president of the association,) was declared 
in due form to be true and proper, and the ceremonies closed 
with the customary religious services. Cheers from the mul- 
titude of witnesses, and salutes from Bunker's and Copp's hills 
announced the moment of the fact to the thousands who could 
not be gratified with the sight of it. 

' The procession then moved to an amphitheatrical area, 
where preparations had been made, on a most ample scale, 
for the accommodation of the auditors of the Address of the 
President of the Association. They included a large portion 
of the north-eastern declivity of the battle hill. On each 
side of the bovver, seals with awnings had been prepared, and 
were filled by over one thousand ladies, from all parts of the 
Union. In the centre of the base, a rural arch and bower, 
surmounted by the American Eagle, was formed for the gov- 
ernment of the Association and some of the guests, in front 
of which, after the venerable Mr. Thaxter had addressed the 
Throne of Grace, the Orator, sub ccclo. pronounced an Address, 
which none but its author is capable of doing justice to in a 



382 HisrouY OF nosroy. 

summary, and whicli will be read with a pleasure equalled 
only by that which elecirilied the vast assemblage who listen- 
ed to It for nearly one hour and a quarter. It is enough for 
us to say, that ii was in every particular worthy of the celeb- 
rity of the orator, and that his address to the silver-headed 
worthies of the Revolution, and to the distinguished Guest of 
the Nation, filled every heart with transport.' 

After the close of the Address the company repaired to 
Bunker's Hill, where a sumptuous entertainment was provided, 
at which more than four thousand persons partook. The 
guests separated at a seasonable hour, and the festivities of 
the occasion terminated w ith a private party at the residence 
of a distinguished citizen. 



CHAPTER LXV. 

Sicut patribus sit Deus nobis. — City Seal- 
And as thou wjist our fathers' Gtjd, be ours. 

Several religious societies have been organized in Boston, 
since the acceptance of the city charter. After the 
Essex street church, first so called, removed to Boylston hall, 
(p. 346) a minority of that body continued to maintain wor- 
ship in the Essex st. house. On the 22d of March, 1822, they 
requested ' a regular dismission frocn the majority' for the 
purpose of being formed into a regular church. This they 
received on the 5th of April, and on the 10th of June follow- 
ing, ten of their numl)er, with two members of another church, 
W'Cre embodied according to the custom of Congregational 
churches. Having received an accession of members from 
the Old South and Park st. churches and one from Braintrce, 
this body adopted the name by which it is now known, of 
Union Church, on the -Gth of August, 1822, and on the 2Gth 
of March, 1823, the Rev. Samuel Green was installed as iheir 
pastor. 

The Corner stone of the Third Universalist meeting house 
was laid October, 7, 1822. A silver plate was as usual de- 
posited beneath it, on which the following was the principal 
inscription : 

" He that built and sustain! all thiags is Jehovah — This Houjie devoted to tlie worship of 
Almighty God, and to llie proniulgaliuu of his great salvation through Jesus Christ, the chief 
corner stone, was commenced and this stone laid, October 7tb, in the year of our Lord, 1822, 
of the independence of the United States the 4tiih,and of the Institution of the City of Boston 
the First." 



Hl.STORl OF BOSTON. 383 

rhe house was dedicated in the forenoon of the 7th of 
May, 182.3, and in the afternoon, the Rev. Paul Dean, having 
recently dissolved his connection with the First Universalist 
church, was installed as pastor of the new society. This 
edifice is situated at the corner of Bulfinch street and Bul- 
finch place. Its dimensions are 74 by 70 feet, and 35 high 
above the base. It is a brick building and has two towers, 
one for the accommodation of the bell and the other for 
symmetry. 

In February, 1823, the Rev. Prince Uawes commenced 
preaching to a small congregation at South Boston. In the 
spring of that year, one of the members at his own expense 
erected a hall for their accommodation. On the 10th of 
December a church was organized by the name of the Evan- 
gelical Congregational Church, consisting of 13 members. 
Mr. Havves was installed pastor of this church April 28, 1824. 
The hall in which this society assembled became so crowded 
that it was desirable they should be provided with a more 
convenient place for publick worship. Benevolent individu- 
als subscribed for the purpose, and they have built a house 
of brick, 70 ft. by 50, every way commodious, but without 
galleries, except at one of the ends. The house was dedicat- 
ed on the 9th of March, 1825. 

The church that worships in the house in Chambers st. was 
the sixteenth Congregational church formed in Boston, and is 
the thirteenth in order of those now existing, but the proprie- 
tors are incorporated undei* the title of • The Twelfth Congre- 
gational Society in the City of Boston.' The following 
statement of the leading facts connected with its e?iv\y history 
is gathered from a memoir appended to Rev. Dr. Lowell's 
sermon at the ordination of the first pastor. In the year 
1823, several gentlemen conferred together on the apparent 
want of a new house of worship for the accommodation of 
the increasing population of the western section of the city. 
It was ascertained that the Rev. Dr. Lowell's, the only Con- 
gregational society in that part of the city, comprised at that 
lime about 350 families, and that many in the neighbourhood 
could not obtain suitable accommodations within a convenient 
distance. In view of these circumstances, a plan was origi- 
nated for the erection of a new church, and in the course of a 
few weeks, 230 shares were subscribed by ninety persons. 
In January, 1 824, an act of incorporation was obtained. The 
corner stone of the new house was laid on the 10th of May. 
The dedication took place October 13(h : Rev. Jno. G. 
Palfrey preached on the occasion, from Matt. xvi. 3. On the 
19th of December, Mr. Samuel Barrett, from the Theological 
school at Cambridge, was invited by the society to become 
their pastor. January 28, 1825, a church was constituted 



384 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 

from the members of the society, and on the 9th of February 
Mr. Barrett was ordained. 

The Methodist society erected a house of worship at South 
Boston in the course of the year 1824. It was dedicated 
January 22, 1825. By the regulations of this denomination 
their clergymen are stationed in Boston, only for two succes- 
sive years : this arrangement has given to the societies here 
the labours of about 35 different clergymen in the course of 
thirty -five years. 

The Trinitarian church in Hanover street was brought 
forward by members of the Old South, Park street and Union 
churches. The corner stone of their edifice was laid June 
20, 1825, in the presence of numerous spectators. A church 
was organized July 18th, consisting of thirty-three mem- 
bers, part from each of the abovenamcd churches. Thej' 
were formally recognized by the name of Hanover Church 
at a publick meeting in Park street on the succeeding day. The 
walls of this building are of rough granite, 70 feet on the 
street by 71 in depth, and about 40 ft. high : tower 28 ft. 
square and about 68 high. The height of walls will be ac- 
counted for, when it is remarked that a basement story, 10 
feet in the clear, will occupy the whole extent of the ground : 
the front part being designed for the Missionary rooms of the 
American Board, and the rest for a spacious vestry. The 
meeting house in Sea street is built on a similar plan, the low- 
er story being designed for tenants. 

A new Unitarian meeting house is also in a state of forward- 
ness. It is to be built of stone, and is situated in Purchase 
street. The cornerstone was laid, September 7th, 1825, with 
apf)roprialc services, in the presence of about 300 persons. 
An account of the origin of this undertaking was read by 
Ilev. Alexander Young. A fervent prayer was next oflcred 
by Rev. Dr. Lowell. — The inscription on the silver plate 
to be deposited under the Stone, was read by Mr. Young. — 
The Chairman of the Building Committee, John Cotton, Esq. 
then depo>ited the box containing the plate, and other ar- 
ticles ; and the stone being duly laid, Rev. Henry Ware Jr. 
delivered an impressive address commencing; with these words, 
" Eccp.j)t the Lurd build the House, they labour in vain that 

build it:' 

There are also three other meetings regularly maintained 
at the present time ; one in Charter street by Trir)itarian con- 
gregalionalists ; one in Purchase street by Baptists : and the 
other by Methodists at the corner of Ciistle and Washinijlon 
streets ; so that the pri-sent nuinbt-r of worshipping assemblies 
in the city is ihirty-five. 



TAB&B 

SHOWIHG 

THE DATE OF THE DEDICATION OF CHURCHES, 

AND OF THE 

SETTLEMENT OF MINISTERS. 





Meeting-Kouses. 




Dedication. 


Ministers, 


Settlement. 


J. 


New Brick. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


May 10, 1721. 


Henry Warejun. 


Jan. 1, 1817 


2. Christ Church. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Dec. 29, 1723. 


Asa Eaton, 


Oct. 23, 1803 


3. 


Old South. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Apr. 26, 1730. 


B. B. Wisner, 


Feb. 21, 1821 


4. 


Trinity. 


Wood. 


Plain. 


Aug. 15, 1735. 


J. S. J. Gardiner, 


Apr. 12, 1792 


5. 


1. Universal. 


Wood. 


Plain. 


1742. 


S. Streeter, 


May 13, 1824 


6. 


King's Chapel. 


Stone. 


Tower. 


Aug. 21, 1754. 


J James Freeman, Oct. 20, 1782 
( F.W.P.Greenwood,Aug.29, 1824 


7. 


1. Baptist. 


Wood. 


Plain. 


Dec. 22, 1771. 


F. Wayland jun. 


Aug. 22, 1 821 


8. 


Brattle-street. 


Brick. 


Tower. 


July 25,1773. 


J. G. Palfrey, 


June 17,1818 


9. 


1. Methodist. 


Wood. 


Plain. 


May 15, 1796. 


Isaac Bonney, 


1824 


10. 


ICatholick. 


Brick. 


Cupola. 


Sep. 29, 1803. 


William Taylor, 


1821 


11. 


New North. 


Brick. 


Cupola. 


May 2, 1804. 


F. Parkman, 


Dec. 3, 1813 


12. 


2. Methodist. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


Nov. 19, 1806. 


Tinio. Merritt, 


1825 


13. 


Lynde-street. 


Brick. 


C upola. 


Nov. 27, 1806. 


Charles Lowell, 


Jan. 1, 1806 


14. 


African. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


Dec. 4, 1306. 


Thomas Paul, 


Dec. 4, 180G 


IS. 


3. Baptist. 


Brick. 


Cupola. 


Aug. 5, 1807. 


Daniel Sharp, 


April 29,1812 


16. 


Chauncy-place. 


Brick. 


Cupola. 


July 21,1808. 


N. L. Frothingham, 


Mar. 15,1815 


17. 


Federal-street. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Nov. 23, 1809. 


C W. E. Channing, 
X E. S. Gannett, 


June 1, 1805 
June 30, 1824 


18. 


Park-street. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Jan. 10, 1810. 


S. E. Dwight, 


Sept. 3, 1817 


19. 


2. Baptist. 


Brick. 


Tower. 


Jan. 1, 1811. 


Vacant, 




20. 


Hollis-street. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Jan. 31, 1811. 


John Pierpont, 


Apr. 14,1819 


21. 


New South. 


Stone. 


Steeple. 


Dec. 29, 1814. 


Alex. Young jun. 


Jan. 19, 1825 


22. 


2. Universal. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


Oct. 16, 1817. 


Hosea Ballou, 


Dec. 25, 1817 


23. 


St. Matthew's. 


Brick. 


Cupola. 


June 24, 1818. 


J. L. Blake, 


June, 1824 


24. 


2. Roman C. 


Brick. 


Gothick. 


1819. 


Patrick Byrne 




25. 


Essex-street. 


Brick. 


Steeple. 


Dec. 15, 1819. 


S. Green, 


Mar. 27, 1823 


26. 


St. Paul's. 


Stone. 


Plain. 


June 30, 1820. 


Vacant, 




27. 


Butolpb-street. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


July 5, 1821. 


William Jenks, 




28. 


3. Universal. 


Brick. 


2 Cupolas. 


May 7, 1823. 


Paul Dean, 


May 7, 1823 


29. 


Chambers-st. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


Oct. 13, 1824. 


Samuel Barrett, 


Feb. 9, 1825 


30. 


S. Boston Meth 


. Brick. 


Plain. 


Jan. 22, 1825. 


Solomon Slas, 


1824 


31. 




. Brick. 


Cupola. 


Mar. 9, 1825. 


Prince Hawes, 


April 28,1824 


32. 


Eea-street. 


Brick. 


Plain. 


Unfinished. 






33. 


Hanover-street. 


Stone. 


Tower. 


do. 






34. 


Purchase-street. Stone. 


Cupola. 


do. 







Rev. Mr. Dean previous to his installation over the third Universalist church had been set- 
tled 10 years over the First; Rev.Mr. Greenwood officiated as pastor of the New South from 
1818 to 1820 : Rev. Mr. Merritt was located in Boston in the year 1818 : Methodist clergy- 
men officiate interchangeably : Rev. Mr. Sabine, of the Presbyterian church, was settled, Jan. 
27, 1819 : the 2d Roman Catholick is under the charge of the same officers as tte first. 

50 



386 HISTORY or BOSTON. 



CHAPTER LXVl. 

"Lol vales that teem with fruits, romantick hills, 
(Oh ! and these hills uphold a freebom race) 
Whereon to gaze the eye with joyaunce fills." 

We include in our map of Boston and its environs, some 
part of each of the towns of Dorchester, Roxbiiry. Brookliiie, 
Brighton, Cambridge, Waterlown, Charlestown, and Chelsea. 

Dorchester is a very pleasant town about 4' miles south 
from Boston, measuring from the centre of each town. At 
present it contains about 8000 acres, including Thompson's 
Island and Moon Island. The soil is generally rich and high- 
ly cultivated. The roads are numerous and crooked, but 
mostly level and kept in good repair. Many line country 
seats and substantial farm-houses are thickly arranged on 
their sides. The population amounts to 3684. They have a 
town house, 3 congregational meeting houses, and one for 
methodists. Savin Hill in this town is a place of considera- 
ble resort, and the peninsula of Squantum is famous for its 
yearly Feast of Shells. 

RoxBURY, adjoining Dorchester on the west, has a popula- 
tion of 4 135. The portion of the town next to Boston is 
thickl) settled and forms a handsome village. Here are three 
meeting houses, within a few rods of each other. There are 
two other churches in different parts of the town. The west 
part of the town, Jamaica plains, is a delightful spot, orna- 
mented with elegant country seats and well cultivated gardens. 
The pond which supplies ^thc Boston aqueduct lies in that 
quarter.* 

Brookline, next to Roxbury on the west, was formerly 
considered part of Boston. This town contains about 4400 
acres of land. Several gentlemen of Boston have their coun- 
try seats here. The number of inhabitants by the last cen- 
sus was 900. This town lies on the west of the bay, and its 
hills and wood lands form a pleasing portion of the scenery 
in the view from Boston common. In a direct line, Brook- 
line is four miles from the city. 



* The proprietors of the Boston Aqueduct were incorporated to bring water in subterra- 
neous pipes from Jamaica Pond in Itoxbury, to the town of Doston, by an Act of the Legis- 
lature, passed February, 27, 1795. Said Pond is about four miles from Boston, and there 
are four main lojjs from the pond, to and through most of the principal streets. The four 
main logs, and all the branches connected with them, amount to about forty miles in length. 
There arc generally about eight hundred families supplied with water from the Aqueduct. 



HISTORY OF BOSTON. 387 

Brighton was formerly part of the town of Cambridge and 
known by the name of Little Cambridge. It lies between 
C. and Brookline. A cattle fair was comnienced here during 
the revolutionary war and has been increasing in importance 
ever since. Most of the cattle for the supply ot" Boston mar- 
ket are brought in droves to this place ; often from 2 to 8000 
a week : every Monday is the fair day, when the dealers in 
provisions resort thither to make their purchases. Once a 
year, in the month of October, the Mass. Agricultural Socie- 
ty encourage a Cattle Show and exhibition of Manufactures, 
by the oifer and award of premiums, for the best animals, 
products or articles of specified descriptions, produced in any 
part of this state. Brighton numbers 702 inhabitants. 

Watertown. The village of Watertown is a flourishing 
neighbourhood : it is the seat of several extensive manufacto- 
ries. The United States have an arsenal established in this 
town. Fresh Pond, a place of genteel resort, five miles from 
Boston, lies partly within this town and partly in Cambridge. 

Cambridge is celebrated as the seat of Harvard College. 
This institution was founded in the year 1636,* and received 
its name from the Rev. John Harvard of Charlestown, who 
made the first great donation toils funds. Since that the ben- 
efactors of this institution have been numerous and liberal. 
The income of the College for the year 1824, arising from 
various permanent sources (i. e. exclusive of receipts from 
students and graduates) amounted to ;^22244, 74 cts. The 
expenditures during the same year amounted to $44841, 36 cts. 
principally in payment of salaries. The College buildings 
are situated on a delightful plain, three miles from Boston.! 
They are, University Hall, which is built of granite, 140 by 
50 ft. on the ground, and 42 ft. high : Harvard, Massachu- 
setts, Hollis, Stoughton and Hoi worthy halls, and Holden 
chapel are all of brick : these buildings all stand within the 
enclosure of the College fence. (See plate, p. 81.) Besides 
these there are a new stone building lately erected and 3 Col- 
lege-houses occupied by students, the President's house, and 



* Colony Records, Oct. 25, 1636, contain the first notice of tbe CoUee^e, towards which 
the Court makes a grant of 400/. to be paid when the work is finished— the Court to regu- 
late the place and building.— Nov. 2, 1637, it is ordered that the College be at Newtown.— 
May, 1638, the name of Newtown was altered and it was called Cambridge.— First Com- 
mencement, 1642. 

t The Maisachusetts Medical College is situated in Mason street, near the Boston Common 
and IMall. The building is brick, 88 feet in length, and 43 in its greatest breadth. Its figure 
is oblong with a pediment in front, and an octagonal centre rising above the roof, and also 
forming a three sided projection in the rear of the building. This is surmounted by a dome, 
with a skyliffbt and balustrade, giving an appearance of elegance to lUe neatness and fit 
proportions of the building. 



388 HISTORT OF BOSTON. 

those of several of the professors, and the Medical College in 
Boston, all which belong to the University. The number 
of alumni, down to the last Wednesday of August, 1825, has 
been 4828. The present number of undergraduates is 234. 

Cambridge contains 3295 inhabitants : it has a court house, 
jail, Slate arsenal, and 5 houses of publick worship. There 
are three jtrincipal villages, Lechmere's point, Cambridge- 
port, and the neighbourhood of the Colleges. 

Charlestown is a town of singular shape extending in a 
northwesterly direction from Boston harbour, about nine miles 
in length and not averaging a breadth of one mile, and in 
some parts it is not a quarter of a mile in width. The com- 
pact or thickly settled part of the town is situated on a penin- 
sula next to Boston, which is about 1| mile in length, and | of 
a mile in breadth, and is laid out in regular streets. 

Charlestown contains a population of 6591. It has 5 
houses of ])ublick worship, a spacious alms house, and a hand- 
souie market house. It is a port of entry in conjunction with 
Boston : Bunker Hill Bank is recently established here. 
Besides Charlestown and Prison point bridges, which con- 
nect this town with Boston, there is Chelsea Bridge on the 
Salem turnpike, and Maiden Bridge, both over the Mystick 
river. Breed's hill, and Bunker hill lie within this peninsula : 
tht former is 62 feet in height, the latter 110 feet. The 
U. S. Navy-yard consists of about 60 acres of land, on 
which are built a large brick warehouse, several arsenals, 
magazines for various kinds of stores, a large brick mansion 
house for the superintending officer, and a marine hospital. 
The State Prison is at the west end of the town, and is built 
of granite, 200 feet by 44. of 5 stories. The prison yard is 
50 feet by 400, enclosed by a wall 15 feet high. The Mas- 
sachusetts Insane Hospital is delightfully situated upon Pleas- 
ant hill, on the west side of the town. It has an elegant house 
for the superinlendant, with 2 buildings, one on each side, 
handsomely built of brick, 3 stories high. 

Chelsea is situated on the north side of Boston harbour 
and Mystick river, and on the west of Lynn bay: much of 
the land is low marsh or fen. The surface of the body of 
the town is broken into small eminences, the highest of which 
is Powder-Horn Hill, 220 feet above the sea. The settle- 
ments are thinly scattered over the town : the number of 
inhabitants is 642. Chelsea anciently was considered a part 
of Boston, and has always been connected with it as part ol 
the county of Suffolk. By the law which established the 
City Police Court, the people of Chelsea are exempted from 
county taxes and deprived of their voice in county concerns. 
They have one meeting house occupied by a congregational 
church. 



AFPZS^NDZX. 



No. I. Page 49. 

INDIAN QUITCLAIM. 

To all to whom these presents shall come, 
I, Charles Josias, alias Josias VVampatiick, son and heir of Josias Wampa- 
tuck Sachem of the Indians inhabiting the Massachusetts in New-Eugland, 
and grandson of Chickatabut, the former Sachem, send greeting. Forasmuch 
as I am informed, and well assured from several antient Indians, as well those 
of my council as others, that upon the first coming of the English to sit down 
and settle in these parts of New England, my above named grandfather, 
Chickatabut, by and with the advice of his council, for encouragement thereof 
moving, did give, grant, sell, alienate, and confirm unto the English planters 
and settlers, respectively and to their several and respective heirs and assigns 
forever all that neck, tract or parcel of land, lying and being within tlie Mas- 
sachusetts colony, in order to their settling and building a town there, now 
known by the name of Boston, as it is environed and compassed by the sea, or 
salt water, on the northerly, easterly, and westerly sides, and by the line of 
the town of Roxbury on the southerly side, with all the rivers, harbours, bays, 
creeks, coves, flats and appurtenances thereunto belonging, as hIso several 
other outlands belonging to the said town on the northerly and easterly sides 
of Charles river, and the Island called Deer Island lying about two leagues 
easterly from the said town of Boston between Pudding point Gut and the 
Broad Sound, so called, said island containing one bundled and sixty or 200 
acres of land, more or less, with the privileges and appurtenances thereunto 
belonging, which said neck and la id huve since been distributed and granted 
out among themselves into particular allotments and other conveniences, and 
given, alienated, and transferred to and from one another, having been peacea- 
bly and quietly possessed, used, orcucied and enjoyed, for the K;,a<e of about 
fifty and five years last past, by the said first grantees, iheir ht>irs, successors 
and assigns, and now stand quietly and peaceably possessed thereof at this day. 
Wherefore, I Charles JosiaS; alias Josias Wampatuck, Sachem, and Wiiliata 
Hahaton, Robert Momentauge, and Aha'.vton, senior, my counsellors, (by and 
with the allowance and advice of William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, Es- 
quires, my prochain amys and guardians) as well for the reasons and con- 
siderations abovcmentioned as for and in consideration of a valuable sum of 
money to me and them in hand paid by Elisha Cook, Elisha Hutchinson, 
Esquires, Messrs. Samuel Shrimpton, John Joylift'e, .Sinion Lynde, .John S.»(lin, 
Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayerweather, Tim- 
othy Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarey, of Boston aforesaid, Ibr and in be- 



390 APPENDIX. 

half of themselves and the rest of the proprictated inhabitants of the town of 
Boston abovesaid, the receipt of which said sura of money as full and lawful 
consideration ive do hereby acknowledge to have received, and thereof, and 
of every part and parcel thereof, do fully acquit and discharge the said Elislia 
Cooke, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joyliffe, Simon Lynde, 
John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayer- 
wcather, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Fraryc, and every of them, their 
and every of their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever, by 
tliese presents have and hereby do for the further confirmation and ratification 
of the said gift, grant, bargain or sale of the said grand Sachem, Chickatabut, 
fully freely and willingly approve, ratify, establish, enfeofl' and confirm the 
same and do also fully and absolutely reraise, release and forever quitclaim 
unto the said Elisha Cooke, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joy- 
lifie, Simon Lynde, John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry 
Allen, John Fayerweather, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarye, their 
heirs and assigns respectively forever, so far as their own several and respec- 
tive rights and interests are »r may be: And further for and in behalf of the rest 
of the proprietated inhabitants of said town of Boston and precincts thereof, 
severally and their several and respective heirs and assigns forever, according 
to the several interests, rights, titles and property, which each person respec- 
tively hath right unto and standeth now seized and possessed of all the afore- 
said neck and tract of land now called and known by the name of the town of 
Boston, and all other lands whatsoever with the said township an'l precincts 
thereof easterly and southerly of and from Charles River, with all and every 
the housing, buildings and improvements tiiereupon and on every part and 
parcel thereof, and the Island aforesaid called Deer Island and the buildings 
thereon, with all harbours, streams, coves, flats, waters, rivers, immunities, 
rights, benefits, advantages, liberties, privileges, hereditaments and appurte- 
nances whatsoever to all and every the aforementioned premises belonging, or 
in any manner or wise appertaining, or therewith heretofore or now used, oc- 
cupied or enjoyed, also all the estate, ri]^ht, title, interest, property, claim and 
demand of me the said Charles Josias, alias Wampaturk, and of all and every 
my beforenamid counsellors, of, in and to the same and every part, parcel or 
member thereof : 

To have and to hold all and singular the abovementioned land, premises and 
appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof unto them the said Elisha 
Cooke, Elisha Hutrhinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joyliffe, Sin)on Lynde, 
John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayer- 
weatlier, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarye, their heirs and assigns 
respectively forever, for and in behalf of themselves so far as their own several 
and respective rights are or may be therein. And further for and in behalf of 
the several and i<'spective proprietatid inhabitants of the said town and pre- 
cincts thereof, th<'ir several and respective heirs and assigns forever according 
to their interest, title and pro|)riety, which each person halh or may have just 
right unto and standeth now seized and possessed of, and to their only proper 
use and benefit and behoof forever, freely, peaceably and quietly, without any 
manner of reclaim, challen^i- or contradiction of nie, the said Charles Josias, 
alias Wampatuck, and my above named connsellois or cither or any of us, 
«r <-ither or any of our heirs, executors, a<lininistrators or assigns, and without 
any at<om()t, rtMUoaing, answer, -ium or sums of money in lime to come to be 
made, yielded, paid or douc, so that neither I, the said Charle« Josias, alias 



APPENDIX. 391 

VVampatuck,my counsellors, our or either of our heirs, executors nor any others 
by, from or uuder me, us or them or any of them, shall or will by any ways or 
means hereafter have, ask, or claim, challenge or demand any estate, right, 
title or interest, of, in or to the premises or any part or parcel thereof, but are 
and shall be utterly excluded and for ever debarred from the same by virtue 
of these presents; and I the said Charles Josias alias VVampatuck and counsel- 
lors aforesaid for us and every of us, our and every of our heirs, executors, ad- 
ministrators and successors respectively do hereby covenant, promise, grant 
and oblige unto the aforenamed grantees, their heirs, executors, administra- 
tors and assigns by these presents to warrant, maintain and defend the afore- 
mentioned premises and all and every part and parcel thereof unto them the 
said grantees, their heirs and assigns forever as aforesaid, for and in behalf of 
themselves and others the proprictated inhabitants according to their respective 
rights and interest, against all and every person and persons whomsoever law- 
fully claiming or demanding the same or any part or parcel thereof, and at 
any time or times hereafter, upon demand, to give and pass more full and am- 
ple release, confirmation and assurance of all and every the said premises un- 
to the said grantees, their heirs and assigns to the uses aforesaid, and to do 
and perform any other act or acts, device or devices in the law necessary or 
requisite thereunto, as in law or equity can or may be devised, advised or re- 
quired. In witness whereof, T said Charles Josias alias Wampatuck, William 
Hahaton, Robert Momentauge and Ahawton, senior my counsellors, 

have hereunto set our hands and seals the 19th day of March A. D. 1684 — 5 
Annoque Ri. Ris. Caroli Secuudi Angliae, &.c- xxxvii. 

Charles Josias /^ (l. s.) 

Ahawton Seyir. /j^^ (l. s.) 

Willm. Hahatoji (l. s.) 

Robert 8 Momentauge. (l. s.) 
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us, 
WiUiam Williams, E. Lyde. 

Charles Josias and Wm. Ahawton jr. in behalf of himself and his father 
Ahawton, hidians, acknowledged the abovesaid writing to be their voluntary 
act and deed, March 19th, 1684 — 5. Coram Jmnes Russell, Assistant. 

We underwritten prochain amys and guardians to Charles Josias sachem of 
the MassachusettSjdo consent and approve of the abovesaid confii mation of title 
and release of claim. William Stoughtnn, Joseph Dudley. 

David, Son and heir of Sagamore George and in his right having lome claim 
to Deer Island, doth hereby for just consideration relinquish his right to the 
town of Boston of all his right and claim thereto, and consents to the abovesaid 
deed of sale, as witness his hand and seal ^, In presence of us 

William Williams, Benja. Dowse. 
Feb. 1. 1708. Received and accordingly entered and examined per 

Addington Davenport, Register. 

No. II. Page 78. 
From Welders Short Story of the Jlntinomians, <^c. — Ed. 1692, p. 23. 

'We whose names are under written (have diligently observed this honoura- 
ble Court's proceetlings against our dear and reverend brother in Christ, Mr. 
Wheel, now under censure of the Court for the truth of Christ) we do humbly 



392 APPENDIX. 

beseech this honourable Court to accept this remonstrance and petition of 
ours, in all due submission tendered to your worships. For first, whereas our 
beloved brother Mr. W. is censured for contempt, by the gjreater part of this 
honoured Court, we desire your worships to consider the sincere intention of 
our brother to promote your end in the day of fast : for whereas we do per- 
ceive your principal intention the day of fast looked chiefly at the public 
peace of the churches, our reverend brother did to his best strcngfth and as the 
Lord assisted him labour to promote your end, and ther'-fare endeavoured to 
draw us nearer unto Christ the head of our union, that so we might be estab- 
lished in peace, which we conceive to be the true way, sanctified of God, to 
obtain your end, and therefore de-icrves no such censure, at we conceive. 

Secondly, Whereas our dear brother is censured of sedition, we beseech 
your worships to consider that either the person condemned must be culpable 
of some seditious fact, or his doctrine must be seditious, or must breed sedition 
in the hearts of his hearers, or else we know not upon what grounds he could 
be censured. Now to the first, we have not heard any that have witnessed 
against our brother for any seditious fact. Secondly, neither was the doctrine 
itself, being no other hut the very expressions of the Holy Ghost himself, and 
therefore cannot justly be branded with sedition. Thirdly, if you look at the 
effects of his doctrine upon the hearers, it hath not stirred up sedition in us, 
not so much as by accident : we have not drawn the sword, as sometimes Peter 
did rashly, neither have we rescued our innocent brothcr,9S sometimes the Israel- 
ites did Jonathan, and yet they did not seilitionsly. The covenant of free 
grace, held forth by our brother, hath taii<fht us rather to become humble 
suppliants to your Worships, and if we should not prevail, we would rather 
with patience give our cheeks to the smlters. Since therefore the teacher, the 
doctrine and the hearers be most free from sedition (as we conceive) we hum- 
bly beseech you in the name of the L. J. C. your Juds^e and ours, and for the 
honour of this Court and the proceedings thereof, that you will be p1ease>l 
either to make it appear to us and all the world, to whom the knowledge 
of all these things will come, tcherein the sedition lies, or else acquit our broth- 
er of such a censure. 

Farther we beseech you remember the old meihod of Satan, the ancient 
enemy of free grace, in all ages of the churches, who hath raised up such 
calumnies against the faithful prophets of God; Elija was called the troubler of 
Israel, 1 Kings, Kvi't'i. 17,18. Amos was charged for conspiracy, Amos. vii. 10. 
Paul was counted a pestilent fellow, or mover of sedition, and a ringleader of 
a sect, .^cls, xxiv. 5. and Christ himself as well as Paul was charged to be a 
teacher of new doctrine, Mark, i. 27. ^cts, xvii. 19. Now we beseech you con- 
sider, whether that old Serpent work not after his old method, even in our days. 

Farther we beseech you consider the danger of meddling against the proph- 
ets of God. Ps. cv. 14, 13. for what ye do unto them, the L. J. takes as done 
unto himself . if you hurt any of his members the head is very sensible of it, 
for so saith the Lord of Hosts, He thnl tonrhelh yoxi, touchcth the apple of mine 
tye, Zech. ii. 8. And better a mill stone were hanged about our necks, and 
that we wer« cast into the sea, than that we should offend any of these little 
ones which believe on him, Malt, xviii. 6. 

And lastly we beseech you consider, how you shnidd stand in relation to tis, 
«s nursing fathers, which give us encouragement to promote our humble re- 
<iuests to you, or else we would say with the prophet, Isa. xxii. 1. LMok from 



APPENDIX. 393 

me that I may weep bidcrly, Labour not to comfort me, &/-c. or as Jer. ix, ii. 
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of a wayfaruig man. 

And (hus have we made known our griefs arul desires to your worsliips, and 
leave them upon record with the Lord and with you, knowing that if we should 
receive repulse from you, with the Lord we shall find jjrace. 

Signed byWm.Aspinwall, Thos. Marshall, Richard Gridley sxn^i manyothrrs.' 



No. 11 [. Page 93. 

Imm ediateli/ folloiving the words " accept thereof" in the a^reemenl respecting 
the incorporation of Bruintrec, the Boston records, Jan. 27, 16-40, read thns : 

' Provided that this order shall not extend to any more or other land than 
such as shall make payment of the said rates so agreed upon of 4s and os an 
acre, and upon the former consideration there is granted to the mount all the 
rocky ground lying between the fresh brooke and Mr. Coddington's brook ad- 
joining to Mr. Haulghes farme and from the west corner of that farm to the 
southermost corner of Mr. Hutchinsons farm, to be reserved and used in com- 
mon forever by the inhabitants and landholders there together with one other 
parcel of rocky ground near to the Kniglite neck which was left out by the 
third company of Lotte, excepting all such ground lying among or neere the 
sd rocky ground formerly granted out in Lotte to pticular persons. 

Also there is granted to Mr. William Thompson, pastor ofthe church at the 
Mount, 120 acre of land there free from the forsd. rate of 3* per acre. 

Also there is granted to Mr. Henry Flint 80 acre of land there in like sort 
free from the sd rate of 3s. per acre. 

Also there is granted to John Lugg a great lot for 9 head at the mount upon 
the usual terms.' 



No. IV. Page 212.* 

Original Covenant of the New North Church. 

We, whose names are subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God 
into the chh. state of the gospel, do, first of all, confess ourselves unworthy to 
be so higlily favoured of the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his, 
which triumphs over so great unworthiness ; and then, with a humble reliance 
upon the aids of grace therein promised to them, that in a sense of their own 
inability to do any good thing, do humbly wait upon him for all, we do thank- 
fully lay hold on his coTenant, and would do the things that please him. We 
declare our serious belief of the chr. religion, contained in the S. S. and as ex- 
hibited in the confession of faith received in our chhs. ; heartily resolving to 
conform our lives to the rules of that holy religion, so long as we live in this 
world. We give ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost ; and avouch him to be our God, our Father, our Saviour and 
Leader, and receive him as our portion. We give up ourselves unto the bles- 



* P. 204. The Manifesto of the Brattle-street Society is prioted at large, in Rev. Mr. Pal- 
frey's Historical Discourse, published recently. 

51 



394 Al'PENDIX. 

sed Jesus, who is the Lord Jeliovah, and adhere to him as the head of his peo- 
ple in the cov. of God, and rely on hiin as our Prophet, our Priest and our 
Kino^, to bring us into eternal blessedness. We acknowledj^e our everlasting 
and indispensable obligations to glorify God in all the duties of a godly, sober, 
righteous life ; and very particularly in the duties of a church state, and a body 
of people associated for an obedience to him, and enjoyment of him, in all the 
ordinances of the gospel. And we therefore depend upon his gracious assis- 
tance for the faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent upon us. We de- 
sire and intend, and with dependence upon promised and powerful grace, we 
engage to walk together as a church of our L.J. C. in the faith and order of 
tlie gospel, so far as we sliall have the same revealed unto us, and will consci- 
entiously attend the worship of God, the sacraments of the N. T. and the disci- 
pline of his kingdom and all his holy instructions, in communion with one 
another ; — and that we will lovingly watch over one another, carefully avoid 
stumbling blocks and contentions, as becomes a people whom the Lord has 
bound up together in the bundle of life. At the same time, we also present 
our offspring with us unto the Lord, purposing with his help to do our part in 
the methods of a religious education, that they may be the Lord's. And all 
this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting covenant for the pardon of 
our many errours, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the great Shep- 
herd, would prepare and strengthen ns for every good work, to do his will, 
working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory forever. 
Amen 



FINIS. 



x^Bsss:. 



Academy, american, 355 

Adams, saml. 254, 282, 323 

, John, 250, 266, 284,297, 337 

, J. Q 337,378 

Agamcnticus nameci B. 15 

Albany sertled, 14 

Alijermen chosen, 369, 371, 374 

Allii,'ator show, 89 

Alms house, 136, 324 

Amendments to city charter, 373 

Amusements introduced, 833. suspen- 

Ammunition smug^gled, 29'^» [ded, 275 

Andros, gov. 184 prisoner, 189, or- 
der respecting north school, 349 

Appeal to arms, 266, 273 

Apprentices' library, 359 

Aqueduct, 386 

Arbella joliuson, lady, 26. dies, 36 

Arms delivered to gen. gage, 305 

Arsenal, u. s. 387 

Artillery ancient and lion. 84, 105 

Assemblies worshipping, number, 384 

Assistance, writs of, 244, 258 

Association of mechanics, 301. mass. 

Asylums, 360 [ch.359 

Atheneum, 357 

Ball, mrs. gambier's, 286 

Bi.ncroft, bp. 13 

IJanks, 375. U.S. ib. stock, ib. 

Barnard j. rev. 212 

Batterv, north, 126. south, 155 

Beacon hill, i^o, 111, 314 

Bell, nine o'clock, 91. eleven, 155 

Bentlev, wm. rev. 143 

Bernard, gov. 245, 268 

Blackstone, wm. 31. 50 

Boston (E.) 13*, 34 

B. harbour explored, 18. named, 32 

Botolph, saint, 34 

Bowdoiu family, 200. jas. 283,313;315 

Bovlston,dr. zabdiel, 218 

— : hall, 332. school, 353 

Bradstreet, simon, 22, 145, 189 

Braintree incorporated, 93, 393 

Bridewell, 324 

Bridges, 316, 320 

Brighton, 387 

Broad slieet, 327 

Brookline, 46, 205, 386 

Brown, enoch.'' 285* 

Bunker hill, 305. battle, 307. mon- 
ument, 3S1. bank, 388 

Burial ground, first, 37, common, 61 

Burial, episcopal, 191 

Bye-laws first printed, 204 

Cabot, John, 14 

Cambridge, 46,81,387 

Canal, roxbury, 319 

Carver, gov. 17 

Castle, 128 



Census, 378 

Central whf. 327 

Charles I. 21, 144. Ch. II. 145, 176 

Charter, city, 366 

Charter, colony granted, 22. vacated, 
172. new, 197. subverted, 296 

Charlestown settled, 23 burnt, 308. 
described, 388. chh. formed, 42 

Charles river, 113 

Chelsea set off, 228. tax, 365, 388 

Chicatabut, 35, 63, 389 

Children baptised, 63 

Chronological items, 39,62 

Church, dr. benja. 286,598 

Church, first, 30, 91, 211— old north, 
129,131,310,338—1 baptist, 149, 
310— old south, 152, 33/— chapel, 
190, 338— quaker, 197, 245, 385— 
french, 200— brattle st. 202,310— 
new north,211,393"new south,2l3 — 
new brick, 214 — christ chh. 219 — 
moorhjad's, 221,339— hollis St. 223, 
310— trinity, 224— lynde St. 226, 
310— saml. mather's, 229, 339—2 
baptist, 230 — croswell's, 231 — san- 
dcman, 256 — 1 universalist, 338 — 
federal st 339 — 1 roman, 340 — 
1 methodist, 340 — christian, 341 — 
african, 342— 2 methodisi, 342—3 
baptist, 343— park st. 343—2 uni- 
versalist, 344— St. matthew's, 345 — 
new Jerusalem, 345 — presbyterian, 
346—2 roman,346— St. paurs,346— 
mission house, 347 — 3 universal, 382 
— union, 382 — s. boston evangelical, 
383 — chambers st. 383 — s. boston 
methodist, 384 — hanover st. 384 — 
purchase st. 384, — others, ib. 

Circular line, 160 

City, project for (1651) 137, (1708) 
2<.>7. (1784) 363. (1792, 1804, 1815) 
314. (1822) 365 

Clap, roger, 25, 38, 188 

Clerk, city, 370 

of writs, 168 



Cobler, simple, 141, 337 

Coddington, wm. 81 

Collector of cistoms, 169 

College, 81,275,387 

Colonnade row, 329 

Columbus discovers A. 14 

Commencement first at college, 387, 
city, 354 

Commissioners of B. 138, king's, 146 

Committee of convention, 273, inspec- 
tion, 278, correspondence, 288, safe- 
ty, 299, school, .351 

Common, 61, 373 

Conant, roger, 20 

Concord fight, 303 



396 



INDKX. 



Congfress, stamp act, 258, lontinental, 

297, provincial, 298 
Constitution, plvmoutli, 16, niassa. 

312, U.S.A. 3i3 
Cooke, rlisha, 196 
Copp's liill, 105 
Correriidu, iioiise of, 376 
Cotton, j<.lin, rev. 33,53, 136 

iol<--on-po(], 157, inary, 256 

Counties foiuird, 98 

Court of liiffh commission, 12 

of assistants, 32 

first general, 34 

police, 371 > 

lionse, old, 376, new, 331 



Coves, 110 

Cranes, 124 

Cradle of Liberty, 235,380 

Creeks, 107, 108", 109,111,121.123,124 

Cromwell, olivrr, 144 

Customs, board of. 269 

Custom house, 329 

Davenport, John, rev. 77, 152, 158 

Dc benlt, dennys, 274 

Dedications, 385 

Dispensary, medical, 360 

Donation, franklin's, 354, 359 

Dorchester, settled, 25, heights, 311, 
town, 386 

Dudley, thos. dep. gov. 24 [son, 189 

jos. col. piesident, 172, in pri- 

Dunsier, henry, 117 

Di'ntnn's arcouiit of B. 174 

Elizabeth Q. 11, deatl), 13 [mon, 324 

Elm tree neiglibourliood, 258, on coni- 

Endicot, at salem, 23, at B 148 

Engine, fire, first, and company, 165 

Environs, 44, 386 

Estates made fees simple, 59 

Eulogy on faneuil, 235 

Evacuation of B. 311 

Exchange cotfee house, 329 

Faneuil, peter, builds hall, 233, his 
picture, 234, dies, 235, his arms, ili* 

Faneuil hall, size of, 234, burnt, en- 
larged, 246 

Faneuil hall market, 377 

Faneuil, andrew, 209,235 

Fencing school, 178 

Ferry established, 40 

Fires, 39,40,81, 139, 164, 165,194,204 
210,241,242, 243, 257,276, 297. 
305, 321,322, 325,326, 329,374,376. 

Fire department, 14(.>, 165, firewards, 

Fire soc. mass charitable, 358 [211 

Fort, Indian, 19, on fort hill, 45, 63. 
110, 187 

Fort hill, 110,328 

Fortification f;-''''*, 210 

Fox hill, HH, 113 

Franklin, benja. 2o6,219, 253, 322, 359 

Fren< h protestanls, 200, 235 

French visit B before english, 15 

Fuller, dr. saml. 30 

Funerals, 170. 192,279,282 

tinge, gen. 273, 296 



Gager, dr. 38 

George M and III 246 

Gibbs' house, 158, 184 

Gorges, sir f. 20 

Gosnold discovers c. cod, 14 

Granary. 136,324 

Graves, thos at charlestown, 23 

Gridley, jcr. 250 

Hancock, John, 266, 270, gov. 313 

Harvard college, 81,387 

Ifay ward, John, 1(58, postmaster, 210 

Health department, 373 

Height of Coi)p's hill, lo5, fort, 110, 

beacon, 1 12, hunker and breed's,388, 

powder horn, 388 
Henrv, patrick, 258 
Hibbins, rars executed, 140 
Higginson, rev. f. 23 
Historical society, 355 
Howard benevolent, 360 
Hospital, marine, 388, gen. 361 
Humane soc 358 [257 

Humphrey, i(din, d gov, 22, 24, danl. 
Hunt. capt. Kidnaps Indians, 15 
Hutchinson, ann, 69 

thos. It. gov, 251, gov. 



286, letters, 289 

Importers, 278, 284 

Impressment, 238, 271 

Inauguration of mayor, 369 

Independence, 250, 270. 289, 312 

Indian king's wigwam, 19, customs, 181 

Industry , house of, 376 

liistallalions, date of, 385 

Insurance capital, 375 

Inventories of ancient estates, 143 

Islands granted to B. 48, in B. har- 
bour, 1 14 

.Tail, k verett St. 376, old, burnt, 275 

,Tamest()wn settlrd, 14 

.lames k. dies, 21, II. 172 

.lohnson, Isaac, 22, dies, 36, 192 
hall, 37, 331 



.Tones, mrs. witch, 141 
.Tosselyn's visits, 82, 158 
.fudges' dress, 250 
,Julien's restorator, 244 
•lynks, jos 140 
Keayne, capt. 85,95, 136 
Kennebeck settled, 14 
Knowles' mob, 238 
Lafayette, 379 
Laniis allotted, 56, 58 
Laws (ligested, 6(i 
Leai;iie and cov. solemn, 296 
Lecture, tliursday, 54, 312 
Lemercier, andrew, 2t>2 
I.ove, Susanna, 350 
I.everett, gov fimeral, 170 
I,e\in;;tou battle. 3<i3 
Library, Ixistuu, 356, Columbian, ib. 
apprentices', 359. |own, 136 



Liberly asserted, 73, 100, 1()8, 171 

tree, 258. 266, in cngland, 259 

sons of, 2(i4 

sloop seized, 270 



INDEX. 



397 



Light house, 212 

Lillie, importer, 278 

Lincoln, earl of, 36 

Long wharf, 208 

Lost town, B. so called, 82 

Lovell, master, eulogy, 235 

mr. James, oration, 286 

Mackav, gen. 276 
Malls, "159, 323, 328, 372 
Manufactorv hall, 285* 
Market, firs't, 54, 225 



[332 



Phips, sir w. 197 

Pig, capt. Ueavne's, 95 

Plymouth landing at, 16 

Ponds, 111, 113, 323,387 

Pope day, 263 

Population, 218,254, 378 

Port bill, 295, relief, 297. squadron 

Post office, 204, 210 [routed, 311 

Powder hUiwn up, 81, seized by gage, 

297, by araericans at portsm. 299 
Premiums nicch. 359, agr. 387 



- boylston, parkman, and city Preston, capt account of massacre, 



280, trial, 284 

Prison, slate, 388 

Province house, 245 

Quackery fined, 40 

Quarters refused to troops, 275 [50 

Quitclaim, Indian, 49,389, blackstone's 

Quincy family, 94, josiah jr. 294, jo- 
sicih, mayor, 371 

Raleigh, sir w. 14 

Randolph, edward, 168, 349 

Rebellion declared, 301 

Records, town oldest, 55 

Refuge, penitent females, 361 

Representatives first chosen, 42, in- 
structed, 148, 254, 289 

Resi«lents in B (1645) 116 

Revolt in B. (1689) 186 

Revolution commencing, 247 

Richardson, capt. 126 

, eben. informer, 278, 282 



faneuil hall, 378, street, 327 

Marriages, 192 

Massachusetts baj', smith discovers, 15 

name, 18 

Massacre, 5th march, 279 
Massasoit, sachem, 18 
Mather, increase, 175, 195 

, cotton, 175 

Mayor chosen, 368 

Medals, f. school, 354 

Memorial against paxton, 248 

Military muster, 88 

Miller's, dr death, 253 

Millpond, 111, 125, 325 

Mill dam, host, and roxb. 320 

Ministers in boston, 385 

Molineux, wm. 291 

Monroe, president's visit, 379 

Morton of merry mt. 21 

Muddv river, 48 

Mud-wall bouses, 83, 121 

Museums, 335 

Mutiny act, 258 

Nahant, 47 

Nantasket settled, 20 

Natstock app. schoolmaster, 349 

Navy yard, 388 

Nfck, boston, 57, 110 

New england, name, 15 

Newfoundland settled, 14 

fire at, 346 

Newspapers, 204, 218,219, 220 

Non-consumption agreement, 270 

Non-importation, 272, 296 

North end settled, 129 

Northwest passage, 88 

Norton, rev. John, lol, 145 i Sea, border, 106, wall, 159 

Officers, town, (1651) 137, (1821)365 Selectmen, first, 56, instructed, 138, 

Oliver, stamp officer, 258,265 Shawmut, etymology, 33 [dinner, 139 

dock, 108 Ship first built, 4u" 

Orations. 5th march, 286 Shop, first, 54 

Otis, James, 249, vindication, 253, Sic kness, first severe, 36 
tights,256, assaulted,277, death, 287 Signs of times, (1668) 157 



Robinson, John, rev. 13 

Ropewalks, 322, 372 

Rough cast buildings, 167 

Rows, west, north, south, &lc. 325, 375 

Roxhury, 45,386 

Salem settled, 23, resistance to col. 

Samoset, 17 [leslie, 300 

Savings bank, 360 

Savin hill, 386 

Schools, 174, 348, latin, 349, free writ- 
ing, ib. Cheney's, inspectors. 350, 
committee, expenses, 351, 354, pri- 
mary, 352, eng. high, mutual in- 
struction, new houses. 353, exami- 
nations, number of scholars, 354, 
carter's. 328 



Ox roasted, 284 

Party anti-charter, 197, 247 

Paskalos, essays of, 26S 

Patent ma^s. anil patentees, 22 

Pa.^lon, ehas. 249 

Peace, (1783) 313 

Pequod war, 84 

Peter, hiigh, 67, 71, 97 

Philip, king, war, 162 

Phillips, John, first mayor, 369, 371 

Philo patriae, 271 



Signatures, vvinthrop and dudley, 44, 
cotton, 136, wilsi)n,156, randolph,173 
Sloop, mass, case of, 252, liberty seiz- 
Small pox, 218, 254, 310 [ed, 271 

Smith, ca[>t. John, visits B. 15 
Snider, boy, killed, 278, inscriptions 

on his coffin, 279 
Societies, literary and charitable, 355-- 
Spy, newspaper, 287 [3(52 

SquantiuT!, 17, 386 
Stagg', captain, 99 



398 



INDEX. 



Stamp act, 255—267 

State house old, 241, 250, new, 323 

Streets, names of, v. original course, 

119 
Suffolk resolves, 298 
Synod, 76, (of 1648,) 100 
Tar and feathers, 284, 301 
Tax, colony, 34, county, 365, town, 

351, school, 354 
Tea proscribed,275,283, destroyed:290 
Thachcr, oxenbridge jr. 249, 254, 258 
Thanksgiving feast, 41 
Theatres, 333 
Tide great, 220 
Tontine, 321 
Town Dock, 106 
Townsend, shippie, 257, 339 
Town house erected, 113, 159, burnt,211 
Trade (1650) 121, 157 
Treason ! treason ! 146, 253 
Ti'iangnlar warehouse, 107 
Trimountain, 33,46, 112 
Troops from <'ngland,274 
Undtihill, capt. 56, 79 
Undertakers mass, company, 24 
Vane, sir hcnry^ 66 — 75 



Veils condemned, 55 

Vernon, adm. tavern, 110 

Virginia colony, 14, resolves, 258, 289 

Ward, rev. nathl. simple cobler, 156 

Warren, jos. dr. 273, gen. 308 

Washington, 310, 379 

Watertown, 32, 387 

Webster, danl. orator, 381 

Welden, capt. roht. 38 

Weston's (ilantution, 20 

Weymouth, 44 

Whalev and (iofle, 158 

Wharves, rii. 124, out, 159, long, 208, 

india und central, 327 
Wheelwright, jolin, rev. 69 
Whi.o,r.-v. jofui, 22 
WhitheUls visit, 228 
William k. proclaimed, 185 
Wills of kcayne and others, 136 
Wilson, rev. juhn, 30, 15() 
Wi-.ithrop, John, gov. 24 — 104 
Witclicratt", 14U, 193 
Wolaston, capt. at mt. 20 
Wonder workinc providence, 130 
Wood's n. e. prospect, 44 
i Workhouse, 324 



ERRATA. 



Page 20, Unc 4i, for now read since. P. 42, /. 31, lor 131 icerc brellutn, r. 94 ziert. vun 
andSlwomtn. P. 51, /. 26. for i»/arcA, 9, 1G38, r. Fefc. 27, 164S. P. 56, /. G, de\e vumber 
and after deceased insert and Robert Harding, jioiu in f^'irginia. I. 10, for 1645 r. 1642. 
P. 84, 1.4,' for Burton's read Barton\: P. 93, /. 14, for 17(A. r. 21th. P. 119, /. 4, for Make 
peace, r. Wm. IVilson. P. 120, /. 15, for north r. south. P. 173,/. 7, after Randolph insert is 
P. 185,* for reduced r. altered. V. 214. /. 1, and P. 217* for sixth r. seventh. P. 221, I. 47 
for David r. Robert. P. 226, /. 48, for 1736 r. 1737. P. 264,* for an tfc. r. the Stamp Act 
Congress. P. 282, /. 6, after ris^iimn/i, insert the 2'ith, but to retain. P.286, /. 4, (or Master 
T. Mr. P. 313, h 11, lor Pli/mouth r. Milton. P. 360, I. 5, for two T.four. P. 379, note,/. 2. 
for 1143 r. 2613. 



INimX 



PLATES AND CUTS. 



1. South East View of Boston, faces - - Title page. 

This view is talien from a point at South Boston and includes tlie front of 
the city between S. B. Bridge, and tlie end of Long wharf. 

2. Plan of Boston in 1824, faces _ - - - page v. 

The dotted lines in this plate show the boundaries of the wards, and the 
numbers refer to the names of the streets on the catalogue which is insert- 
ed between this plate and 

3. Plan of Boston, in 1722, p. viii. 

This plan is reduced from one of Price's, and corrected by a plan found in 
an old book of charts. 

4. Johnson Hall, Court Square, faces - - - p. 37- 

This plate exhibits also a view of part of the Chapel burial ground and 
the Columbian Museum. 

6. Trimountain, -------p. 46. 

This is drawn to represent Trimountain as it originally appeared from 
Charlestown, and is copied from old prints. 

7. Nahant Hotel, faces - - - - - p. 47- 

This is a view of the Pavilion erected within a few years by citizens of 
Boston. 

7. Alms House, Leverett-street, faces - - - p. 52 

8. South View of the several Halls of Harvard College, faces, p. 81 

9. Triangular Warehouse, - - - - - p. 107 

10. Ancient house, p. l66 

This building exhibits the fashion of 1680. 

11. Old Franklin House in ililli-street, - - - p. 206 

12. Julien's Restorator, ------ p. 244 

13. North East View of Faneuil Hall, faces - - p. 247 

The white line on the front of the Hall marks the size of the original building : 
on the right is the old vegetable market, &.C. 

14. Boston Liberty Tree, faces p. 266 

15. View of State-street, and old State House, faces - p. 280 

This view was taken from a point about opposite Merchants' row, and com- 
mences on the left at the building next above those burnt April 7th, 1825, 



d^^ 



400 IXUEX TO PLATES. 

16. Lexington Monument, ----- p. 303 
17- Monument to Warren, p. 309 

18. Beacon hill Monument and Beacon, ... p. 315 

19. "N'iew of Charlestown, from the dome of the State- 

house, faces p. 316 

In Uiis view is embraced the Navy yard, State prison, Charlestown Bridge, 
Bunker and Breed's Hill, and part of Boston in the fore-ground. 

20. New State-house, faces p. 323 

Tliis view includes a portion of the Common, the mansion house ofGovcr- 
nour Hancock, the Great Tree, ic. 

21. Boston Exchange Co.ee-house, faces - - - p. 330 

This plate embraces also old Quaker meeting house, and the steeple of 

the Old South in the distance. 

22. Boston Theatre, Federal-street, faces - - - p. 334 

This plate brings into view the Roman Catholick church, and part of Frank- 
lin street, anil Franklin Place. 

22. Insane Hospital, as seen from Boston, faces - p. 36l 

24. Massachusetts General Hospital, faces - - p. 362 

25. United States Branch Bank, faces - - - p. 375 

26. Ground Plan of that Bank .... p. 375 
22. House of Industry and House of Correction, faces p. 37C> 

This view represents part of Boston in the back ground. 

28. East View of Faneuil-Hall Market, faces - - p. 378 

This plate represents the new Market and flew stores as finished, seen fron 
the harbour. 

29- I^lap of Boston and Environs, faces - - p. 388 



BOSTON : 
Printed by Munroe k. Francis. 



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